Pitkävaikutteisena

Pitkävaikutteisena is a Finnish term that translates to "long-acting" or "sustained-release" in English. It is primarily used in pharmacology and medicine to describe pharmaceutical preparations designed to release their active ingredients slowly over an extended period. This contrasts with immediate-release formulations, which are designed to dissolve and be absorbed quickly.

The development of long-acting formulations aims to improve patient compliance by reducing the frequency of dosing required. Instead of taking medication multiple times a day, a patient might only need to take a single dose. This can lead to more consistent therapeutic levels of the drug in the body, potentially enhancing effectiveness and minimizing side effects associated with rapid fluctuations in drug concentration.

Various technologies are employed to achieve long-acting effects. These can include specialized coatings on tablets or capsules, microencapsulation of the drug, or the use of depot injections that release the medication gradually over weeks or months. The choice of formulation depends on the specific drug, its intended use, and the desired duration of action. Examples of medications often available in long-acting forms include those for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders. The term signifies a pharmaceutical characteristic rather than a specific drug.