Which term describes a drug delivery method that delays absorption to reduce peaks and maintain steadier levels?

Which term describes a drug delivery method that delays absorption to reduce peaks and maintain steadier levels?

• A. Qid
• B. Sustained release
• C. Titration
• D. Tmax

Answer: (B)

Delaying absorption to keep drug levels steadier is what a sustained-release formulation aims to do. By releasing the drug slowly over time, absorption is spread out, so the plasma concentration rises more gradually, reducing the peak (Cmax) and creating a flatter concentration–time profile. This helps keep levels within the therapeutic window and can improve tolerability and dosing convenience. Among the options, sustained release is the term that describes this delivery method. The other terms describe different ideas: Qid refers to dosing frequency (four times daily), not how the drug is released; titration is adjusting the dose to reach a desired effect; Tmax is the time to reach peak concentration, a pharmacokinetic parameter, not a delivery method.

Delaying absorption to keep drug levels steadier is what a sustained-release formulation aims to do. By releasing the drug slowly over time, absorption is spread out, so the plasma concentration rises more gradually, reducing the peak (Cmax) and creating a flatter concentration–time profile. This helps keep levels within the therapeutic window and can improve tolerability and dosing convenience. Among the options, sustained release is the term that describes this delivery method.

The other terms describe different ideas: Qid refers to dosing frequency (four times daily), not how the drug is released; titration is adjusting the dose to reach a desired effect; Tmax is the time to reach peak concentration, a pharmacokinetic parameter, not a delivery method.