Enteric polymers are also known as what type of polymers?

Enteric polymers are specialized substances that are designed to remain intact in the acidic environment of the stomach and dissolve only in the more neutral or alkaline conditions of the intestines. This characteristic makes them particularly effective in creating formulations that allow for delayed release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) until it reaches the intestinal tract.

The term "delayed release" refers to the design of these formulations, as they are specifically engineered to prevent the release of the drug until it is appropriate for absorption in the intestine. This helps to protect the drug from degradation by stomach acid, enhances patient compliance by targeting specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract, and can also improve the bioavailability of medications that might otherwise be affected by the acidic environment of the stomach.

In contrast, the other terms such as prolonged release, sustained release, and immediate release describe different mechanisms or timing of drug delivery that do not have the specific characteristics associated with enteric polymers. Prolonged and sustained release typically refer to formulations that control the release rate of the drug over an extended period, while immediate release indicates that the drug is released rapidly after administration, which does not align with the delayed action of enteric polymers.