How do extended release medicines work

No crushing, splitting or chewing of pills or capsules should occur with the use of extended-release medications. Medication labeled for extended release can result in an overdose if crushed or chewed. Air or moisture can change the effectiveness of the formulation, so it is important to keep prescription bottles sealed and in a dry place.

Altering the original form of an extended-release medication can make it less effective. If individuals have any questions on how to properly take their medication, they should check with a pharmacist or the prescribing doctor.

Source: WebMD , Drugs. What are extended-release medications? What are the advantages of extended-release medications? Extended-release medications offer several advantages which include, but are not limited to, the following: Less frequent doses Fewer side effects Less fluctuation in blood levels Complete absorption How are extended-release medications labeled?

Are there 2 types of the medication in the suspension? Or is it made in such a way that it's all absorbed at once and just metabolizes more slowly so it lasts a longer time? Read Responses. Jennifer R, RPh. I apologize that I cannot offer more to you than a description of how Tussionex works. I am not a doctor so I can diagnose you or evaluate why you may have had the reaction that you did that forced you to go to the ER.

I would urge you to make an appointment with your primary prescriber to have him or her evaluate you as there truly is no substitute for a doctor's visit and physical exam. With that said, this is the information I can offer you regarding Tussionex. Chlorpheniramine maleate and hydrocodone bitartrate are used together in an oral preparation to relieve coughing and upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis or the common cold.

Chlorpheniramine is well absorbed from the GI tract. The onset of action of chlorpheniramine is about 30—60 minutes, with peak concentrations occurring in about hours and peak effect in about 6 hours.

The duration of action is between 4—8 hours. Hydrocodone is well absorbed from the GI tract. Onset of analgesic action is achieved in 10—30 minutes. Peak analgesic effect occurs in 30—60 minutes and lasts for 4—6 hours. Antitussive activity also lasts for 4—6 hours. Again I would urge you to follow up with your primary care prescriber to discuss your situation. Best of luck to you. Jennifer R RPh www. Some examples of modified release formulations are delayed release generally include enteric coated , extended release and orally disintegrating.

Delayed release tablets are sometimes enteric coated. This enteric coat is specifically designed to prevent dissolution of the tablet in the stomach. This is sometimes meant to protect the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach, but also sometimes meant to protect the stomach from the disrupting presence of the drug.

Specifically, extended release refers to a drug formulation where the rate of drug release is engineered by a special coating, membrane infused with the drug, capsule with a special opening, a capsule containing special beads, or difficult to dissolve tablet.

Some products use multiple mechanisms to achieve the desired rate of drug release. Referencing your question specifically, there are many drugs that remain in the stomach while the release of the drug takes place but this not true of all extended-release formulations ex: some drugs are designed to remain in the small intestine.

Products that remain in the stomach while the drug is released are known as gastroretentive systems. There are several designs that have been used to maintain the drug in the stomach. A few of these include but are not limited to high-density systems, floating systems, expandable systems, and mucoadhesive or bioadhesive systems.

In the expandable systems, one example being metformin ER, a diabetes drug, the tablet unfolds or expands preventing passage through the pyloric sphincter. These expandable tablets make up only a small portion of gastroretentive products.

A more common form being the floating or mucoadhesive systems. In the floating systems, the tablet or capsule is designed to be less dense than the stomach contents and thus remain at the top of the stomach while the drug is released. Ultimately there are many technologies that allow for extended release products to function. While the overall concept is the same, how it is achieved can be quite different from drug to drug.

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