Learning Journal 22

Answers to questions from last entry:

I looked more into slow-release medications to see if there was a database with the effects of particular medications in the elderly. I didn't find anything and I guess that makes sense, that's why we go see a doctor, so they can tell us what effect certain medications will have in a patient. There's not a set way a medication will respond with every single person who takes it.

New information found:

I did find out a lot about slow-release medications though. Time release drugs have their active ingredient embedded in an insoluble matrix so that the molecules have to work their way through the matrix before released into the bloodstream. There is also a technology called microencapsulating which gives a more consistent release rate. These technologies only work for some types of medications however, ones where the pharmacological activity of the active ingredient is dependant upon blood levels. Also, if the active ingredient absorption involves an active transport protein mechanism then time release medications can be problematic.

I think this stuff is a whole different field that would take a ton of time and research to understand. I'm glad I found out that a basic concept though; that not all medications can be given in a time-release form with the current technology available. It seems like time-release medications are an effective way to increase patient compliance with prescription doses when the patient is elderly and is taking multiple medications.

Questions from this information:

What are the other methods to increase patient compliance that I can look into more?

Is there a big price difference with time-release medications?

When a time-release form of a medication is available do physicians know that prescribing it to an elderly person will make them more likely to comply with the prescription?

Keywords: patient compliance, time release medications