The effects of some of the long-acting drugs may last up to 2 days.

Phenprocoumon (marketed under the brand names Marcoumar, Marcumar and Falithrom) is a long-acting oral anticoagulant drug, a derivative of coumarin.

The two main categories of these long-acting drugs are inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists (like Singulair), which are somewhat less potent than the steroids.

The person experiences BTP when the long-acting drug is not effective for the intended length of time.

Isopropamide is a long-acting anticholinergic drug.

"Among persons over 65 using the long-acting drugs, there was a 70 per cent increased risk of hip fracture," Dr. Ray said.

The long-acting drugs are no more effective, he said.

Despite pain being well controlled by long-acting drugs or other treatment, flares may occasionally be felt; this is called breakthrough pain, and is treated with quick-acting analgesics.

When I read this, I realized I was on the wrong track, taking too little of the long-acting drug and too much of the short-acting one.

Patients may initially require a moderate- to long-acting sedative/hypnotic drug at bedtime for the insomnia, agitation, and motor restlessness sometimes associated with bupropion.