Excipients
Excipients
Excipients (/ɪkˈsɪpiənts/) are substances that are included in medications to serve specific functions. They are typically used to improve the manufacturing process, protect, support or enhance stability, or for bioavailability or patient acceptability. They have no therapeutic effects.
Etymology
The term "excipient" comes from the Latin excipere, meaning "to except", which refers to the substance in a pharmaceutical product that is not the active ingredient.
Types of Excipients
There are several types of excipients, each serving a unique purpose in the formulation of a drug. Some of the most common types include:
- Fillers: These are used to bulk up the formulation, especially if the active ingredient is very small.
- Binders: These help to hold the tablet together and give it shape.
- Disintegrants: These help the tablet to break up once it is in the stomach.
- Lubricants: These help prevent the tablet from sticking to the machinery during production.
- Coatings: These are used to protect the tablet from the stomach acids and to make it easier to swallow.
- Preservatives: These are used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in the formulation.
- Flavorings and Colorings: These are used to make the medication more palatable and visually appealing.
Related Terms
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API): This is the substance in a drug that is biologically active.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation: This is the process in which different chemical substances are combined to produce a final medicinal product.
- Drug Delivery System: This is the method by which a drug is delivered to its site of action.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Excipients
- Wikipedia's article - Excipients
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