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Reading medicine names and labels

What XR, SR, ER, DR and MUPS mean in a medicine name

Letters such as XR, SR or MUPS after a brand name or before "Tablet" tell you how the product is designed to release its medicine. This guide spells out what each abbreviation stands for.

Why the letters are there

A standard tablet or capsule is usually designed to release its medicine soon after it is taken. Some products are designed differently, and the label says so with a short abbreviation. In the DGDA registry these appear as separate dosage forms, such as "XR Tablet", "SR Capsule" or "MUPS Tablet", and they can also appear in the brand name itself.

Because of this, a plain tablet and an XR tablet of the same generic are different registered products, often with different strengths.

What each abbreviation stands for

  • XR: extended release. Designed to release the medicine over a longer period than a standard tablet.
  • ER: extended release. The same meaning as XR; companies choose one or the other.
  • SR: sustained release. Also designed to release the medicine over a longer period.
  • CR: controlled release. Designed to release the medicine at a controlled rate.
  • MR: modified release. A general term for any release pattern different from a standard tablet. It sometimes appears as "M R".
  • PR: prolonged release. Another term for release over a longer period.
  • DR: delayed release. Designed so that release starts later rather than straight away, often using a special coating.
  • MUPS: multiple-unit pellet system. A tablet made of many tiny coated pellets pressed together.
  • ODT: orally disintegrating (or orodispersible) tablet. Designed to break up in the mouth.

Different companies may use different abbreviations for similar designs, and the exact design of any one product is set by its manufacturer. The abbreviation tells you the type of product; it does not tell you how that particular product should be taken.

Where you will see them

  1. In the brand name on the pack, for example a brand name followed by "XR" or "MUPS".
  2. In the dosage form shown on the pack and in the registry, for example "ER Tablet" or "DR Tablet".
  3. On the medicine pages of this site, which show the registry's dosage form for each product.

Matching a pack to the registry

When you look a product up, match the abbreviation as well as the generic and strength. If your pack says "SR Tablet", the matching registry entry should also say SR, not a plain tablet.

Browse dosage forms, including XR, SR and MUPS tablets

Tablet, capsule, syrup, suspension: dosage forms explained

Search a brand to see its registered dosage form

How to take any medicine, including whether a tablet may be split, chewed or crushed, depends on the product. Ask a registered doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

Is XR the same as ER?
Both stand for extended release. Companies use one or the other for products designed to release medicine over a longer period.
What does MUPS stand for?
Multiple-unit pellet system: a tablet made of many tiny coated pellets pressed together.
What does DR mean?
Delayed release: the product is designed so that release starts later rather than immediately.
Can I replace an SR tablet with a plain tablet of the same generic?
Do not decide this yourself. They are different products; ask a registered doctor or pharmacist.

This guide is general information only and is not medical advice. It does not tell you what any medicine is for or how to take it. For questions about your health or your medicines, ask a registered doctor or pharmacist.

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