What is the difference between sustained release and extended release medication?

Answer by  sanityrose (2664)

Extended release means the medication will basically last over a period of time. Sustained means it will release a specific amount of the drug over a specific amount of time.

Answer by  PATTABHI (16)

The difference between sustained release and extended release medication ia an extended release tablet has a makeup that allows them to dissolve at a set rate in your body. The sustained release medications are oral dosage forms designed to be absorbed at various levels in the gastrointestinal tract, thus prolonging action. Thats the difference.

Answer by  Blip (313)

Sustained release and extended release medication behaves the same way when taken; the difference is only semantic. These medications can also be referred to as "timed release" in which the pills generally work in the system somewhere between two and eight hours. Timed release medications are specially coated to ensure proper doses of the drug are absorbed into the body.

Answer by  TravisRocks (6)

You're right. They are pretty much the same. The wording "sustained" or "extended release" generally refers to meds that have been coated with an insoluble to slow absorption.

Answer by  VCraig (88)

There is no difference between sustained release and extended release medication. Both mean the medicine will act for a long period of time.

Answer by  kaysimon (0)

none of the above answers make any sense whatever to me !!!