how does the time-release mechanism in drugs work?

[CuriousCub]

i tried doing a general search for this since to me it'd seem like a common question asked. However, i found no direct results; everything brought up was too broad ranged.
-in OC, or in any other drug that uses this function, how exactly does it work, and *what* makes it work?
-Do all time-release drugs work the same way in regards to this?
-are there certain chemicals agents in the drug that are designed for releasing the drug in such a form?
-how does it no longer work when the drug is crushed up?
-how does this function come into play when it is crushed, dissolved, and injected? isn't this mechanism the main reason OC (or any other time-release drug too?) so potentially deadly to inject?

 

[silverfucked]

i dont know with oc's but dexedrine and adderal, i think the amphetamine is incased in different substances that dissolve at different rates..

 

[CuriousCub]

and what are these other substances that do this??

 

[silverfucked]

ha! hell if i know.. still, i dont think this applies for oxycontin.

 

[CuriousCub]

Originally posted by silverfucked:
ha! hell if i know.. still, i dont think this applies for oxycontin.
well let's find out fo' sho' :D

 

[sputnic]

different sized balls of wax encompass the drug molecules, which makes them break down and metabolise at different times. crushing the pill breaks down the wax, releasing the drug molecules.
oxycontin is potentially fatal because people are stupid. tehy drink on it, or overdose becasue they dont know how to dose properly
I assume all drugs use the same method, or simialr, but im not sure how.

 

[CuriousCub]

Originally posted by sputnic:
different sized balls of wax encompass the drug molecules, which makes them break down and metabolise at different times. crushing the pill breaks down the wax, releasing the drug molecules.
oxycontin is potentially fatal because people are stupid. tehy drink on it, or overdose becasue they dont know how to dose properly
I assume all drugs use the same method, or simialr, but im not sure how.
i think theres more to that...from the way people speak of it, slamming OC is potentially fatal for the chemicals involved with it.

 

[NoriegA]

They have buffers in them that cause a time release mechinism. This way a slow streem of medicine is released over a longer period of time so you don't have to take it that often...

 

[Roches]

hm.
yes, but oxycontin is a tablet...
from rxlist:
Oxycodone is a white, odorless crystalline powder derived from the opium alkaloid, thebaine. Oxycodone hydrochloride dissolves in water (1 g in 6 to 7 mL). It is slightly soluble in alcohol (octanol water partition coefficient 0.7). The tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: ammonio methacrylate copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, red iron oxide (20 mg strength tablet only), stearyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin, yellow iron oxide (40 mg strength tablet only), yellow iron oxide with FD&C blue No.2 (80 mg strength tablet only), FD&C blue No.2 (160 mg strength tablet only) and other ingredients.
various derivatives of methylcellulose are common binders, so i would guess that the ammonio methacrylate copolymer is what makes it time-release. the drug probably just binds (probably adsorbs) with the copolymer and releases from it slowly.
you're right about extended-release capsules, although some aren't pH dependent.

 

[silverfucked]

I think its dangerous because the binding agents can block small blood vessels and cause heart failure or hemmorrage?? dont trust me too much on that one.

 

[Dr.groveller]

Originally posted by CuriousCub:

i think theres more to that...from the way people speak of it, slamming OC is potentially fatal for the chemicals involved with it.
Fuck... try reading the FAQ on OC. OC is in a polymer matrix- this handy dandy matrix helps control how fast the chemical is absorbed by your body (time release mechanism). You don't want to shit this shit because of various health effects from putting things like TALC and other ingredients in your bloodstream. End of story. The spansules of time release addaral are different than the polymer matrix of OC but the theory is the same.
doc