What type of medication is typically designed for sublingual absorption?

The correct answer is troches, as they are specifically designed for sublingual absorption. Troches are solid dosage forms that dissolve in the mouth, often containing active ingredients that can be quickly absorbed through the mucosal membranes under the tongue. This mode of administration allows for rapid onset of action, bypassing the digestive system and hepatic metabolism, which increases bioavailability.

While lozenges are also designed to dissolve in the mouth and can be used for localized effects such as soothing a sore throat, they are not exclusively formulated for sublingual absorption like troches. Tinctures are alcohol-based liquid extracts and not meant for sublingual delivery but rather for oral or topical use. Syrups are liquid formulations that typically require swallowing and are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, troches stand out as the most appropriate choice due to their specific formulation for sublingual use.