Skip to main content

What does XR or ER mean after a drug name?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 11, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

XR or ER is short for extended-release which means the pill is formulated so that the drug is released slowly over time.

This has the advantage of taking pills less often and there may be fewer side-effects as the levels of the drug in the body are more consistent in extended-release formulations.

Examples of extended-release drugs include:

Related: Medical Abbreviations on Pharmacy Prescriptions

Read next

Venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms typically last up to 3 to 4 weeks, but may persist even longer. You should avoid abruptly stopping venlafaxine treatment unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Gradually reducing the dose over 4 weeks can help to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms in most people. Continue reading

In the US, Farmapram is called alprazolam (brand name: Xanax). Farmapram appears to be a common name for alprazolam in Mexico and may be manufactured in that country. It can be dangerous to purchase alprazolam on the Internet or outside the U.S. It may be against the law to bring these products into the US from a foreign country. Continue reading

Xanax is addictive because of how it works in the brain, its short duration of action, and the potent calming and anxiety-relieving effect of the medicine that some people may abuse. It also can also cause withdrawal symptoms upon abrupt discontinuation, which may lead to a pattern of continued drug use and higher doses to help alleviate symptoms. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer