Sustained Release Tablets, Change the Way You Take Medication!
- Advantages of Sustained Release Tablets in Long-Term Therapy
- Differences between Sustained Release Tablets and Conventional Tablets
- Technology Behind Sustained Release Tablets
- Challenges in Sustained Release Tablet Formulation
Some medications have a rapid elimination profile from the body, causing blood drug levels to fluctuate easily and requiring frequent dosing. Medications that need to be taken three to four times a day can burden patients and increase the risk of noncompliance.
To address this issue, slow-release tablets have been developed to gradually release the drug, maintaining stable blood levels over a longer period. With slow-release tablets, the frequency of medication administration can be reduced from three or four times a day to just once or twice a day.
Advantages of Sustained Release Tablets in Long-Term Therapy
Slow-release tablets not only reduce the frequency of dosing but also lower the risk of side effects. In conventional formulations, rapid drug release can result in high peak concentrations in the blood, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
Furthermore, slow-release tablets are highly beneficial for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular conditions. With these tablets, patients do not have to worry about complex dosing schedules, while drug levels remain well-controlled throughout the day.
Differences between Sustained Release Tablets and Conventional Tablets
Slow-release tablets differ from conventional tablets primarily in their formulation and drug release systems. Conventional tablets are designed to release their entire drug content immediately after consumption, whereas slow-release tablets are designed to release the drug gradually over a specific period. The release rate of drugs in slow-release tablets can be controlled by modifying the dissolution rate, diffusion rate, or chemical reactions with biological fluids.
Technology Behind Sustained Release Tablets
Dissolution rate modification is achieved by adding barrier coatings to control the access of biological fluids to the tablet. Examples of barrier coatings include thin films or polymers that limit water penetration, resulting in slower drug dissolution. Meanwhile, diffusion rate modification involves incorporating polymer matrices or membrane layers to regulate how quickly the drug diffuses out of the tablet.
Challenges in Sustained Release Tablet Formulation
Despite their many advantages, slow-release tablets face challenges that can impact their effectiveness and therapeutic success. The release of active ingredients in these tablets is highly influenced by the patient’s physiological conditions, such as pH fluctuations in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the formulation of slow-release tablets requires a complex design, including the use of controlled-release systems like polymer matrices or membrane layers, which demand meticulous development to ensure optimal functionality.
With their ability to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient convenience, slow-release tablets continue to be an innovative option in the treatment of various chronic diseases. However, challenges such as complex formulation designs and high production costs must be addressed through ongoing research and development. Slow-release tablets not only revolutionize our approach to drug therapy but also pave the way for more personalized and precise treatment strategies in the future.
With further research support, this formulation holds significant potential to meet increasingly complex medical needs. Stay tuned for the next article that will discuss more about other drug testing here!
Author: Devira
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
Allen, L. V., Popovich, N. G., & Ansel, H. C. (2012). Ansel’s pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems: Ninth edition. In Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems: Ninth Edition. https://doi.org/10.1177/875512251002600315.
