How does time-release medicine work? I understand that the stuff that lasts for 8-12 hours might be absorbed over time in the stomach, but what about medicine that lasts for 24 hours, a week or even a month in the case of a new osteoporosis medication? Presumably the stuff will be absorbed or pass through one’s system in less than a day.
I dont know of any oral medication that is rated to release drugs for more than 24h for obvious reasons (in animals such as cattle it is allowable to use foldable plastic systems that are shoved down the cows throat, and open up in the cows stomach. These sit there for months, being too big to move, and release antiworm/tick medication over that period. Humans for some reason object to having the same done to them).
Controlled release medication for longer periods is usually either transdermal (e.g. sits on the skin) or injected subdermally (e.g. some contraceptive preparations)
The once-a-month medication I was referring to is a new osteoporosis drug called Boniva, and it’s definitely an oral tablet. The commercial for it refers to other osteoporosis drugs that are taken once a week.
Boniva is for postmenopausal osteoporosis, a condition that manifestly occurs once a month. I don’t see any evidence that the pill is supposed to be active for the next month, just that it strengthens the bones at the appropriate time and that effect lasts. Not exactly the same thing.
However, I can’t find a cite that says specifically how the drug works in the body. If you have one, I’d like to see it.
it does not seem to be a controlled release drug. What they found was that a large dose once a month was as effective as 4 or more smaller doses once a week
The action of ibandronate on bone tissue is based on its affinity for hydroxyapatite, which is part of the mineral matrix of bone. Ibandronate inhibits osteoclast activity and reduces bone resorption and turnover. In postmenopausal women, it reduces the elevated rate of bone turnover, leading to, on average, a net gain in bone mass.
from http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/boniva_cp.htm
My reading is that these chemicals bind to the bone surface(s), stopping dissolution of the bone
Thanks for the information.