Which term describes a system that releases medication over an extended period through the skin?

The term that describes a system for releasing medication over an extended period through the skin is transdermal. This method involves the use of transdermal patches, which are designed to deliver medication via the epidermis directly into the bloodstream over time. This approach not only helps maintain consistent drug levels in the body but also minimizes the peaks and troughs often associated with other forms of medication administration, such as oral or intravenous routes.

Transdermal systems are particularly advantageous for medications that require steady, continuous delivery and can improve patient adherence by avoiding the need for frequent dosing. Examples of medications commonly delivered transdermally include pain relievers, hormone therapies, and nicotine replacements.

Other methods, while still effective in their specific contexts, do not describe this sustained delivery through the skin. For instance, intravenous administration involves delivering drugs directly into the bloodstream, oral methods require ingestion and absorption through the digestive system, and inhalation involves medication entering the respiratory tract. These routes do not provide the same sustained release characteristic that transdermal systems do, emphasizing the unique function of transdermal medication delivery in therapeutic applications.