Final answer:
Long-acting drugs have a sustained release mechanism and provide a gradual and prolonged effect. Delayed onset drugs take some time to start working after administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing medications, the term "long-acting" refers to drugs that have a sustained release mechanism, meaning they slowly release the active ingredient over an extended period of time. This allows for a more gradual and prolonged effect. On the other hand, "delayed onset" refers to medications that take some time to start working after administration. This delay can be intentional, such as with certain pain medications that need time to reach therapeutic levels in the bloodstream.
An example of a long-acting and delayed onset drug is the opioid analgesic fentanyl patch. The patch slowly releases fentanyl into the body over a period of 72 hours, providing continuous pain relief. However, it can take several hours for the drug to reach its full effect after applying the patch.