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What Does “Sustained Release” Mean?

Sustained-release formulations are developed in the nutrient and pharmaceutical industries to slowly deliver the active compound over a longer period of time.

There is an initial release of the nutrients or drug to provide a therapeutic dosage soon after administration, then a gradual release over an extended period of time.

Why Is It Important?

Sustained Release mechanisms have the advantages of:

  • being taken less frequently,
  • potentially decrease the side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs,
  • provide prolonged circulation of active compounds during times a repeated dosage would be difficult (ie: nighttime), and
  • “protecting” the active compound from rapid absorption and/or breakdown to allow longer time in circulation to potentially reach target areas.

For Further Scientific Information regarding Sustained Release Mechanisms and Significance visit:

National Library of Medicine

A Seminar on Sustained Release

Sustained Release Drug Delivery System

Sustained release matrix technology and recent advances in Matrix Drug Delivery System: A Review

Zetpil, Thinking “Outside the Nutritional
Industry Box” to Formulate Products
that Actually Work