[Are there indications for oral or sublingual administration of morphines?]

During the perioperative period, gastric emptying rate and first pass metabolism limit the use of oral morphine. The bioavailability of sublingual and buccal opioids is better as the uptake of active drug is governed by local blood flow. This way of administration requires patient cooperation. Sublingual buprenorphine is widely used; buccal morphine and oral transmucosal fentanyl deserve further evaluation, especially in children.