Patent ID: 8753611

Claim:
A method of administering at least one systemically distributable pharmaceutical agent across the oral mucosa comprising: a) providing a solid oral dosage form including: (1) an orally administerable medicament that is present in an amount that is pharmaceutically effective for buccal mucosal, gingival, or sublingual mucosal administration; (2) at least one pH adjusting substance, which is a base selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate; and (3) at least one saliva activated effervescent couple in an amount sufficient to increase absorption of said orally administerable medicament across the oral mucosa, wherein said effervescent couple comprises an acid selected from citric, tartaric, malic, fumaric, adipic and succinic acid, and a base selected from sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate; wherein said orally administerable medicament is not substantially encompassed by or dispersed in a material that prevents absorption of said medicament across the oral mucosa; b) placing said solid oral dosage form in the mouth of a patient so that saliva in said patient's mouth activates said at least one effervescent couple in said tablet; and c) holding said solid oral dosage form and dissolving the contents of said solid oral dosage form in the mouth of a patient whereby said at least one effervescent couple promotes absorption of said orally administerable medicament across the oral mucosa.