What indicates a medications' sustained release formulation?

A medication’s sustained release formulation is designed to gradually release the active ingredient over an extended period of time. This allows for a more consistent level of medication in the bloodstream, reducing the number of doses needed throughout the day and potentially leading to improved patient compliance and a reduction in side effects from peaks and troughs in medication levels.

When a medication is released gradually, it helps maintain therapeutic levels over a longer duration, unlike formulations that provide an immediate effect or a short-duration effect, which typically lead to rapid absorption and elimination from the body. Similarly, sustained-release medications are formulated to minimize rapid decomposition in the stomach, allowing them to maintain their effectiveness over time, rather than breaking down quickly and delivering the drug all at once.