Excipients in Medications

• An excipient is a substance that is not the active ingredient, but is integrated with it during manufacturing.
• Excipients can act as preservatives, bulking/filling agents, and emulsifying agents.
• Medications can have extended expiration dates and better taste because of excipients.
• Excipients may help in formulating timed-release products, such as coatings that protect against stomach acid for intestinal release.

Bulking/Filler/Diluent Agents

• Inert substances create bulk.
• Examples: lactose monohydrate, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose.

Binders

• Binders cause adhesion of drug particles, helping them stick together.
• Examples: acacia, carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, methylcellulose, alginic acid.

Antioxidants

• Used to prevent oxidation and protect against deterioration.
• Examples: ascorbic acid, Butyl Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Preservatives

• Preservatives prevent microorganism growth.
• Examples: benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, phenol, cetypyridimium.

Co-Solvents

• Co-solvents increase the solubility of the solute in the solvent.
• Examples: ethanol (most common), sorbitol, propylene glycol.

Acidifying Agents

• Provide acidity to a liquid preparation.
• Examples: acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid.

Alkalinizing Agents

• Provide alkalinity to a liquid preparation.
• Examples: sodium hydroxide, diethanolamine, sodium carbonate.

Buffering Agents

• Resist changes in pH upon addition or dilution of an acid or alkali.
• Examples: potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, anhydrous and dihydrate.

Emulsifying Agents

• Promote dispersion of finely subdivided liquid particles into vehicles in which they are immiscible.
• Result in liquid or semisolid emulsions.
• Examples: cetyl alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), macrogol esters, glyceryl monostearate.

Humectants

• Prevent preparations from drying out by holding in moisture.
• They are especially used in creams and ointments.
• Examples: glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol.

Surfactants

• Adsorb (not absorb) to surfaces and reduce interfacial tension.
• Examples: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), polysorbate 80, octoxynol 9.

Sweetening Agents

• Increase sweetness for more pleasant tastes.
• Examples: aspartame, dextrose, mannitol, glycerin, sucrose, saccharin sodium.

Suspending Agents

• Increase viscosity and reduce the sedimentation rate of particles in vehicles in which they are not soluble.
• Examples: carbomer, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose.

Glidants

• Improve the flow properties of powder mixtures during manufacturing.
• Examples: colloidal silica, magnesium stearate, other silica compounds.

Lubricants

• Reduce friction during tablet compression during manufacturing.
• Examples: calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, zinc stearate, stearic acid.

Disintegrates

• Used in solid formulations.
• Promote disruption of mass into smaller particles that are more readily dispersed or dissolved when they contact water.
• Examples: sodium bicarbonate, sodium starch glycolate, sodium alginate, alginic acid.

Stiffening Agents

• Increase the thickness of preparations, especially ointments.
• Examples: cetyl alcohol, paraffin, white/yellow wax, cetyl esters wax.