long-acting

American  

[lawng-ak-ting, long-] / ˈlɔŋˈæk tɪŋ, ˈlɒŋ- /

adjective

Pharmacology.

1. sustained-release.

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long-acting British  

adjective

1. (of a drug) slowly effective after initial dosage, but maintaining its effects over a long period of time, being slowly absorbed and persisting in the tissues before being excreted Compare intermediate-acting short-acting

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Etymology

Origin of long-acting

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

long-acting

The long-acting contraceptives business focuses on methods that prevent pregnancy for a long period of time, such as the intrauterine device, according to Bayer’s website.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

"Our peptide-based platform offers a new route to deliver insulin orally and may be applicable to long-acting insulin formulations and other injectable biologics."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 24, 2026

In patients who already produce normal or elevated levels of endogenous GLP-1, flooding those same receptors with long-acting agonists may push a finely tuned system past its adaptive range.

From Slate ● Mar. 22, 2026

Some of the women decided to take a long-acting contraceptive method, instead of the birth control pills, because they were worried about funding being cut again, she added.

From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2026

One way for new entrants to compete with Lilly and Novo will be with long-acting alternatives to today’s weekly shots.

From Barron's ● Jan. 12, 2026