Which formulation releases medication slowly over a specified period of time?

Sustained release formulations are specifically designed to release medication slowly and steadily over an extended period of time. This mechanism helps maintain a consistent drug concentration in the bloodstream, allowing for prolonged therapeutic effects while minimizing peaks and troughs in drug levels.

Such formulations are particularly advantageous for medications that require steady dosing, as they can improve patient compliance by reducing the number of doses needed throughout the day. This is in contrast to other formulations, such as delayed release, which may release the drug at a later time but not necessarily in a controlled or sustained manner. Chewable tablets and regular tablets typically release their active ingredients more rapidly, often resulting in quicker absorption and higher fluctuations in blood levels compared to sustained release options.