Advantages of Extended-Release Dosage Forms Over Conventional Forms advantas Explanation Reduction in drug blood By controlling the rate of drug release, "peaks and valleys"of drug-blood level fluctuations levels are eliminated Frequency reduction in dosing Extended-release products deliver frequently more than a single dose of medication and thus they may be taken less often than conventional fo ced patient convenience With less frequency of dose administration, a patient is less apt to neglect and compliance taking a dose. There is also greater patient and/or caregiver convenience with daytime and nighttime medication administration Reduction in adverse side effects Because there are fewer drug blood level peaks outside of the drug's therapeutic range and into the toxic range, adverse side effects occur less frequently. Reduction in overall health care costs Although the initial cost of extended-release dosage forms may be greater than that for conventional dosage forms, the overall cost of treatment may be less due to enhanced therapeutic benefit, fewer side-effects, and reduced time required of health care personnel to dispense and administer drugs and monitor patients