long-acting

English

Adjective

long-acting (comparative more long-acting, superlative most long-acting)

1. (pharmacology) Having a pharmaceutical effect principally in the long term.
   • 1988, E[dward] J[ames] Moran Campbell, Not Always on the Level, [London]: British Medical Journal, →ISBN, page 194:

     I have tried all the medium and short acting non-barbiturate sedatives since the war (including thalidomide) but they don’t work and I don’t trust the newfangled long acting, “safe” analgesics.

Coordinate terms

• ultra-short-acting
• short-acting
• ultra-long-acting