Drug formulations for systemic 
drug delivery with improved stability and 
rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be administered via 
buccal administration, 
sublingual administration, pulmonary delivery, 
nasal administration, subcutaneous administration, 
rectal administration, vaginal administration, or ocular administration. In the preferred embodiments, the formulations are administered sublingually or via 
subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain an 
active agent and one or more excipients, selected to increase the rate of 
dissolution. In the preferred embodiment, the 
drug is 
insulin, and the excipients include a 
metal chelator such as EDTA and an acid such as 
citric acid. Following administration, these formulations are rapidly absorbed by the 
oral mucosa when administered sublingually and are rapidly absorbed into the 
blood stream when administered by 
subcutaneous injection. In one embodiment, the composition is in the form of a 
dry powder. In another embodiment, the composition is in the form of a film, 
wafer, lozenge, 
capsule, or tablet. In a third embodiment, a dry powdered 
insulin is mixed with a 
diluent containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as water or 
saline, a 
metal chelator such as EDTA and an acid such as 
citric acid. Devices for storing and mixing these formulations are also described.