Posted by Larry Hoover on February 10, 2007, at 20:57:42
In reply to Re: Metabolism and Controlled Release Drugs, posted by elanor roosevelt on February 10, 2007, at 11:06:22
> aren't most CR drugs produced for the profit of the pharma companies?
I can't imagine that's the case. Drugs with short half-lives, or with quick onset withdrawal symptoms, can be difficult to manage. Controlled release, extended release, continual release, all help the patient maintain more stable blood concentrations of the drug. At least, in theory.
The technology behind XR tablets is not owned by one drug company. It is licensed out by a third party company. One of the continual release technologies is also held by a non-pharmaceutical company. Of course, these are more costly than the IR tablets.
I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies expect to have increased market share, if their product is more convenient, or safer to use. But they can't market CR drugs unless the IR drug has some practical shortfall to begin with.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:731085
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070207/msgs/731684.html