Chrominfo: Advantages and disadvantages of extended release dosage forms

The extended-release dosage form is designed to deliver medicaments to the body where it should be absorbed, simplifying the scheduled dosing and ensuring that the drug concentration is maintained at a suitable time interval. Extended-release dosages are a commonly used technique for delivering drugs into the bloodstream and are achieved by incorporating coated granules or beads into capsules or tablets. Sustained-release, controlled-release, and long-acting drug products are some examples of extended-release dosage forms. There are some advantages to providing drugs administered by this process, but it also has some disadvantages, let’s check it.
Advantages of extended-release dosage forms:

The major advantage of the extended-release dosage form is that it provides long action of the drug and reduces the frequency of dosing.
The extended-release dosage forms often reduce the requirement of night-time doses that are helpful to both caregiver and patient.
There is no need to take tablets and capsules repeatedly, which is very beneficial for children and old people.
It can be used to maintain drug levels by controlling the rate of drug release.
Extended-release dosage forms may improve patient compliance.
The rate and extent of absorption of medicaments can be modified.
There is no problem with the unpleasant taste and odor of the drugs as it is already coated with granules.
It reduces side effects, reduces the amount of time required for health treatment, and improves medical benefits.
They are easy to carry, transport, and don't require special storage conditions.
Formulation of extended-release can be possible in solid dosage forms but is very difficult to formulate in liquid and semi-solid dosage forms.
It delivers the medicaments at the prescribed rate as per the needs of the body throughout the treatment of the patient.

Disadvantages of extended-release dosage forms:

The major disadvantage of the extended-release dosage form is its high cost as it has a higher manufacturing cost than other dosage forms.
Another major disadvantage of extended-release dosage forms is that side effects can remain much longer than an immediate release, short-acting product.
Failure of the technique may result in the risk of the sudden and total release of the drug.
It is not useful whenever partial doses are needed because they need to be taken intact, not divide into parts.
Splitting or divided into parts can cause its release property to be lost.
The combination of multiple drugs and excipients or ingredients complicates it to formulate.
Extended-release formulations may cause a slower onset of action.
Not all drugs are compatible with the formulation of extended-release dosage forms.
The release rate can change by various factors such as food and fasting.
The release rate can vary from one dose to another dose.