Excipients - examples

acidifying agent

• citric acid

• acetic acid

alkalinizing agent

• sodium bicarbonate

• sodium carbonate

• sodium hydroxide

adsorbent

• powdered cellulose

• activated charcoal

air displacement

• nitrogen

• carbon dioxide

antifoaming agent

• dimethicone

• lauric acid

• simethicone

antifungal preservative

• ethylparaben

• propylparaben

• sodium benzoate/ benzoic acid

antimicrobial preservative

• benzalkonium chloride

• methylparaben

• propylparaben

• sodium benzoate/ benzoic acid (only at pH<5)

antioxidant - water soluble

• ascorbic acid/ sodium

• ascorbate (vitamin C)

• sodium bisulfite

• sodium metabisulfite

antioxidant - oil soluble

• ascorbyl palmitate

• BHA

• BHT

• vitamin E

chelating agents

• EDTA

• disodium EDTA

clarifying agent

• bentonite

• talc

emulsifying agent (EA)

• acacia

• tweens

• spans

• pluronics

• cetyl alcohol

enteric coating

• cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)

• eudragits

flavoring or sweetening agent

• acacia syrup

• cherry syrup

foaming agent

• brij

• tween 80

• sodium lauryl sulfate (present in shampoos)

foam adjuvant/stabilizer

• cetyl alcohol

• stearic acid

• stearyl alcohol

humectant

• glycerol

hydrophilic solvents (co-solvents)

• ethanol

• glycerol

• propylene glycol

levigating agents

• mineral oil (wS)

• glycerol, propylene glycol (wIS)

plasticizer

• diethyl phthalate

• glyercol

stiffening agent

• cetyl alcohol

• stearyl alcohol

• white wax

• bees wax

suppository base

• cocoa butter

• polyethylene glycols

surfactant

• tween

• span

• polysorbate 80

• sodium lauryl sulfate

sweetening agent

• aspartame

• stevia extract

• glycerol

• sucrose

tablet binder

• microcrystalline cellulose

• ethylcellulose

• starch

diluent or filler

• calcium phosphate

• lactose

• mannitol**

• microcrystalline cellulose

• starch

disintegrant

• starch

glidant

• magnesium stearate**

• talc

tablet lubricant

• calcium stearate

• magnesium stearate

opaquant

• titanium dioxide

tonicity agent

• sodium chloride

Viscosity enhancers (gelling agents)

• poloxamers

• CMC

• methylcellulose

• carrageenan gum

• guar gum

• HPMC

• sodium alginate

tablet anti-adherent

• magnesium stearate