What type of medication formulation allows for a reduced frequency in dosing?

Extended release formulations are designed to release a medication slowly over an extended period, allowing for less frequent dosing compared to immediate-release formulations. This slower release into the bloodstream helps maintain a consistent level of the drug in the body, which can enhance therapeutic effects and improve patient adherence to the medication regimen.

While both sustained release formulations also achieve a similar aim of prolonged action and reduced frequency in dosing, the term "extended release" specifically emphasizes the prolonged effect in a variety of applications. Delayed release, on the other hand, refers to formulations that do not release the drug immediately, but are not necessarily designed for prolonged action over time, thus may not reduce dosing frequency effectively. Caplets, while being a type of tablet formulation that is coated for easier swallowing, do not inherently relate to dosing frequency in the same manner as the extended release formulations.