Sustained-release drugs: Use them correctly to protect your health

In the development of modern medicine, the types of drugs are becoming more and more abundant, providing people with powerful weapons to fight various diseases. Among them, sustained-release drugs, as a special drug dosage form, play an important role in the treatment of many chronic diseases. However, a common sense that many elderly people should know but do not know is that the packaging and compression of sustained-release drugs are specially used to control the release rate of drugs, and they cannot be broken, crushed, chewed, or ground for consumption.

1. Definition and characteristics of sustained-release drugs

Sustained-release drugs, or sustained-release preparations, refer to a type of preparation that delays the release, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body through appropriate methods, thereby prolonging the duration of drug action or reducing toxic side effects. Compared with ordinary drugs, sustained-release drugs have the following significant characteristics:

1. Smooth drug release

Sustained-release drugs can release drugs slowly in the body at a relatively constant rate, thereby maintaining a relatively stable blood drug concentration. This is crucial for patients with chronic diseases who need to take medication for a long time. For example, patients with hypertension need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time. If they use ordinary dosage forms of antihypertensive drugs, there may be large fluctuations in blood drug concentration, causing blood pressure to fluctuate, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Sustained-release antihypertensive drugs can steadily lower blood pressure, reduce blood pressure fluctuations, and improve treatment effects.

2. Reduce the frequency of medication

Since sustained-release drugs can release drugs continuously, the number of times they are taken can be reduced. This is very convenient for some elderly people with poor memory or mobility problems. They do not have to remember the time to take the medicine frequently, reducing the possibility of missing or taking it by mistake.

3. Reduce toxic side effects

Excessive drug concentration in the body may cause toxic side effects, while sustained-release drugs can avoid a sharp increase in blood drug concentration, thereby reducing the risk of toxic side effects. For example, if some antibiotics are used in ordinary dosage forms, they may cause a greater burden on organs such as the liver and kidneys, while sustained-release antibiotics can reduce this burden.

2. Packaging and Compression Principles of Sustained-Release Drugs

The special effects of sustained-release drugs are due to their unique packaging and compression technology. Generally speaking, there are several ways to package and compress sustained-release drugs:

1. Matrix-type sustained-release preparations

This preparation is made by mixing the drug with one or more inert skeleton materials and then compressing them. The drug is gradually released in the skeleton, and the release rate of the drug is controlled by the dissolution, diffusion or penetration of the skeleton. The skeleton material can be a high molecular polymer, liposome, etc., which have good biocompatibility and stability.

2. Membrane-controlled sustained-release preparations

Membrane-controlled sustained-release preparations are those in which one or more layers of sustained-release membranes are wrapped around the surface of drug particles or tablets. The drug is slowly released through micropores, cracks or dissolution on the membrane. The material of the sustained-release membrane is usually a high molecular polymer, such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, etc. The release rate of the drug can be controlled by adjusting parameters such as the thickness, porosity and composition of the membrane.

3. Osmotic pump sustained-release preparations

Osmotic pump sustained-release preparations are a type of preparation that uses the osmotic pressure principle to control drug release. It consists of a drug layer, a semipermeable membrane, and a push layer. When the preparation enters the body, water enters the push layer through the semipermeable membrane, causing the push layer to swell, thereby pushing the drug out at a constant rate. This preparation can provide a very precise drug release rate and is suitable for some drugs that require strict control of blood drug concentration.

3. Serious consequences of taking sustained-release drugs incorrectly

If the elderly do not know the common sense that sustained-release drugs cannot be broken, crushed, chewed, or ground before taking, and they perform these operations incorrectly, it will have extremely serious consequences.

On the one hand, destroying the sustained-release structure of the drug will cause the blood drug concentration to fluctuate sharply. For example, for patients with hypertension, the original sustained-release antihypertensive drugs can steadily control blood pressure. Once they are broken apart and taken, they may cause a large amount of drugs to be released in a short period of time, causing blood pressure to drop sharply. This will not only cause patients to experience uncomfortable symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations, but in severe cases may also cause cerebral ischemia, syncope, and even shock. For diabetic patients, the wrong use of sustained-release hypoglycemic drugs may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia reactions, manifested as sweating, trembling, palpitations, hunger, etc. If not treated in time, it will also cause great harm to the body and may even cause coma.

On the other hand, incorrect use of sustained-release drugs may also cause serious damage to the body's organs. At high concentrations, the toxicity of certain drugs to important organs such as the liver and kidneys will be greatly increased. For example, some sustained-release antibiotics, after being mishandled, a large amount of drugs quickly enter the body, which may increase the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys, and may cause liver and kidney function damage in the long run. In addition, for patients with poor heart function, a sudden increase in blood drug concentrations may also increase the burden on the heart and cause serious heart problems such as arrhythmias.

4. How to take sustained-release drugs correctly

In order to ensure the therapeutic effect and safety of sustained-release drugs, the elderly should pay attention to the following points when taking sustained-release drugs:

1. Take strictly according to the doctor's instructions

When prescribing sustained-release drugs, doctors will determine the appropriate dosage and medication schedule based on the patient's condition, age, weight, and other factors. Elderly people should take the drugs strictly according to the doctor's instructions and should not increase or decrease the dosage or change the medication schedule on their own.

2. Do not break, crush, chew or grind the pills before taking.

As mentioned above, the packaging and compression of sustained-release drugs are specifically used to control the release rate of the drug, and these incorrect operations cannot be performed. If the elderly feel that the drug is too large to swallow, they can ask their doctor or pharmacist if there are other dosage forms available.

3. Pay attention to the storage of medicines

Sustained-release drugs should be stored in accordance with the instructions, and should generally be stored in a dry, cool, dark place. Avoid placing the drug in a place with high temperature, humidity or direct sunlight to avoid affecting the stability and efficacy of the drug.

4. Regular review

While taking sustained-release drugs, the elderly should have their physical condition checked regularly, including blood pressure, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, etc. The doctor will adjust the drug dosage or change the drug according to the results of the review to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.

5. Improve the elderly’s understanding of sustained-release drugs

In order to let more elderly people understand the correct use of sustained-release drugs, we can take the following measures:

1. Strengthen health education

Through community lectures, promotional materials, TV programs and other forms, we popularize the knowledge of sustained-release drugs to the elderly, including the definition, characteristics, correct use methods and precautions of sustained-release drugs, etc. We improve the elderly's understanding of sustained-release drugs and enhance their self-care awareness.

2. Guidance from doctors and pharmacists

When prescribing sustained-release drugs, doctors should explain in detail the use and precautions of the drugs to patients. When dispensing drugs, pharmacists should also emphasize to patients the importance of taking sustained-release drugs correctly and answer patients' questions.

3. Family members’ care and reminders

Family members should pay attention to the elderly's medication, remind them to take the medicine on time, and pay attention to the correct use of the medicine. If the elderly have any questions about the medicine, they should consult a doctor or pharmacist in time.

In short, sustained-release drugs, as a special drug dosage form, play an important role in the treatment of chronic diseases. The elderly should understand that the packaging and compression of sustained-release drugs are specifically used to control the release rate of the drug, and they cannot be broken, crushed, chewed, or ground for consumption. Only by using sustained-release drugs correctly can the therapeutic effect and safety be ensured, and the health of the elderly can be protected.