What does "EC" stand for in medication formulations?

In medication formulations, "EC" stands for Enteric Coated. This term refers to a specific type of coating applied to oral medications that prevents the tablet or capsule from dissolving in the acidic environment of the stomach. Instead, enteric coating allows the medication to pass through the stomach intact and dissolve in the more alkaline environment of the intestines. This can help protect the drug from being broken down prematurely, enhance absorption, reduce gastrointestinal irritation, or prevent unpleasant taste or odor from being released in the stomach.

The other terms may refer to important concepts in pharmacology and medication management, but they do not accurately describe the "EC" designation in this context. For example, extended release refers to formulations designed to release a drug over an extended period of time, whereas effective concentration pertains to the dosing strength of a medication in relation to its effectiveness. External consumption is not a standard term in pharmacology and does not apply in this context. Therefore, enteric coated is the correct interpretation for "EC" when discussing medication formulations.