Dr. Banga Excipients

Gelatin

CAPSULES — Main structural material used to make traditional hard and soft capsule shells.

HPMC

CAPSULES — Vegetarian capsule shell; also used as a gelling agent and film-forming polymer in oral films and gels.

Lactose

CAPSULES/TABLETS/DPI — Diluent (filler) that adds bulk; also serves as the carrier particle in dry powder inhalers.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC/Avicel)

TABLETS/CAPSULES — Diluent used to add bulk; excellent for direct compression.

Pregelatinized starch

TABLETS/CAPSULES — Multifunctional excipient used as a diluent, binder, and disintegrant.

PVP (Povidone)

TABLETS — Binder that holds powder particles together during compression.

PVP (Patch)

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Crystallization inhibitor that prevents dissolved drug from crystallizing.

Magnesium stearate

TABLETS/CAPSULES — Lubricant that prevents sticking and reduces friction during manufacturing.

Magnesium carbonate

CAPSULES — Adsorbent used to absorb liquids, oils, and eutectic mixtures so they can be encapsulated.

Colloidal silicon dioxide (Cab-O-Sil/Aerosil)

TABLETS/CAPSULES — Glidant that improves powder flow.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

CAPSULES — Surfactant that improves wetting of powders.

Titanium dioxide

CAPSULES — Opacifying agent that makes capsule shells opaque.

Dicalcium phosphate

TABLETS — Diluent used to add bulk and improve compressibility.

Talc

TABLETS — Lubricant/glidant that improves flow and prevents sticking.

Starch

TABLETS — Disintegrant that helps tablets break apart after administration.

Croscarmellose sodium (Ac-Di-Sol)

TABLETS — Superdisintegrant that rapidly swells to break tablets apart.

Crospovidone (Polyplasdone)

TABLETS — Superdisintegrant that promotes rapid tablet disintegration.

Sodium starch glycolate

TABLETS — Superdisintegrant that swells quickly after absorbing water.

Ethylcellulose

TABLETS (Modified Release) — Water-insoluble polymer used for film coating and extended-release formulations.

PEG (Polyethylene glycol)

TABLET COATING/TOPICALS/MODIFIED RELEASE — Plasticizer for coatings, water-soluble ointment base, and PEGylation agent.

Propylene glycol

PATCHES/TOPICALS/PARENTERALS/TABLET COATING — Cosolvent, humectant, and penetration enhancer.

Glycerin

TABLET COATING — Plasticizer that increases coating flexibility.

Shellac

SUGAR-COATED TABLETS — Seal coat that protects the tablet core.

Wax

SUGAR-COATED TABLETS — Final polishing agent.

Silica gel

TABLET PACKAGING — Desiccant that absorbs moisture inside the bottle.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Adhesive that keeps the patch attached to the skin.

Acrylate adhesive

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Common pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Silicone adhesive

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Pressure-sensitive adhesive with excellent skin compatibility.

Polyisobutylene adhesive

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Pressure-sensitive adhesive used in some patches.

Menthol

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES/TOPICALS — Terpene penetration enhancer that increases skin permeability.

DMSO

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Potent penetration enhancer that disrupts skin lipids.

Oleic acid

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES/TOPICALS — Fatty-acid penetration enhancer.

Isopropyl myristate (IPM)

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES/TOPICALS — Penetration enhancer and emollient.

Backing membrane

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Protective outer layer.

Release liner

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Peel-off protective layer removed before application.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)

TRANSDERMAL PATCHES — Rate-controlling membrane used in reservoir patches.

Petrolatum

TOPICALS — Oleaginous ointment base that is greasy and highly occlusive.

Lanolin

TOPICALS (Creams/Ointments) — Absorption base that incorporates water.

Cetyl alcohol

TOPICALS (Creams) — Emollient, stiffener, and co-emulsifier.

Stearic acid

TOPICALS (Creams) — Thickening agent used to form emulsifying soap.

Potassium hydroxide

TOPICALS (Creams) — Reacts with stearic acid to form potassium stearate (emulsifier).

Carbopol (Carbomer)

TOPICALS (Gels) — Common gelling agent.

Hydroxyethylcellulose

TOPICALS (Gels) — Gelling and viscosity-increasing polymer.

NaCMC

TOPICALS (Gels/Emulgels) — Gelling, thickening, and suspending agent.

Poloxamer 407 (Pluronic F127)

TOPICALS (Gels) — Thermoreversible gelling polymer.

PLO (Poloxamer Lecithin Organogel)

TOPICALS — Vehicle used for transdermal compounding.

Lecithin

TOPICALS (PLO) — Phospholipid component of PLO.

Transcutol

TOPICALS — Solvent and penetration-enhancing vehicle.

Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI)

PARENTERALS — Sterile water without preservatives for single-dose injections.

Water for Injection (WFI)

PARENTERALS — Highly purified water used to manufacture injectable products.

Bacteriostatic Water for Injection (BWFI)

PARENTERALS — Sterile water containing preservatives for multidose use.

Benzyl alcohol

PARENTERALS — Preservative in multidose injectable products.

Phenol

PARENTERALS — Preservative used in injections.

Cresol

PARENTERALS — Preservative used in injections.

Thimerosal

PARENTERALS — Preservative used in some injectable products.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)

OPHTHALMICS — Common preservative used in multidose eye drops.

EDTA

OPHTHALMICS — Chelating agent that improves preservative effectiveness.

Sodium chloride

OPHTHALMICS/PARENTERALS — Tonicity-adjusting agent.

Buffers

OPHTHALMICS/PARENTERALS — Maintain proper pH.

Methylcellulose

OPHTHALMICS — Viscosity enhancer that prolongs contact time.

Polyvinyl alcohol

OPHTHALMICS — Viscosity enhancer and lubricant.

HFA-134a

MDIs — Hydrofluoroalkane propellant.

HFA-227

MDIs — Hydrofluoroalkane propellant.

Spacer

MDIs — Improves drug delivery and decreases oral deposition.

Technosphere microparticles

DPIs (Afrezza) — Carrier particles for inhaled insulin.

Fixed vegetable oil

PARENTERALS — Nonaqueous injectable vehicle.

Dextrose

PARENTERALS (TPN/IV Fluids) — Carbohydrate source.

Amino acids

PARENTERALS (TPN) — Protein source.

IV fat emulsion

PARENTERALS (TPN) — Lipid source.

0.22-micron filter

PARENTERALS — Sterilizing filter.

1.2-micron filter

PARENTERALS (TPN) — Filter used for fat emulsions.

Type I glass

PARENTERALS — Most chemically resistant glass; best for ampules and injections.

Type II glass

PARENTERALS — Treated soda-lime glass for acidic/neutral injections.

Type III glass

PARENTERALS — Least resistant glass; used for dry powders and oral products.

ISO Class 5

USP 797 — Air quality inside the sterile compounding hood (PEC).

ISO Class 7

USP 797 — Buffer room.

ISO Class 8

USP 797 — Anteroom.

Category 1 CSP

USP 797 — Shortest beyond-use date.

Category 2 CSP

USP 797 — Intermediate beyond-use date.

Category 3 CSP

USP 797 — Longest beyond-use date with most stringent requirements.

Eudragit

MODIFIED RELEASE TABLETS — pH-dependent polymer used for enteric and extended-release coatings.

Carnauba wax

MODIFIED RELEASE TABLETS — Hydrophobic wax that slows drug release.

PLGA

MODIFIED RELEASE — Biodegradable polymer used for sustained-release microspheres.

Liposomes

MODIFIED RELEASE — Phospholipid vesicles used as drug carriers.

Microspheres

MODIFIED RELEASE — Polymeric particles that provide sustained drug release.

Microneedles

TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY — Microscopic needles used to deliver drugs through the skin.