Pharmaceutical Excipients

anti adherent

prevents sticking of powder or tablets in the manufacturing process

binders

helps to keep powder particles stuck together in the formation of a tablet

diluent

provides bulk

coating agent

used to coat tablets for the purposes of enhanced stability, masking of taste/odour, assisting release time, and enhancing appearance.

disintegrant

absorbs water and causes breakdown in the stomach

glidant

improves the flow of powder

lubricant

reduces friction during manufacturing and during compression stage

polishing agent

gives tablets a polish/shine

colouring agents

gives an attractive colour

flavour agents

gives a flavour and masks bad taste

stiffening agents

gives body to ointments

perfumes

gives topical preparations a nice scent

acidifying agent

used in liquid preps to provide acidic medium for product stability

alkalinizing agent

used in liquid preps to provide an alkaline pH for product stability

air displacement agent

used to displace air in a sealed container to enhance product stability

antifungal

prevents fungal growth in liquid and semi solid preps

antimicrobial agent

prevents growth of microorganisms in semi solid preps

antioxidant

prevents oxidation, breakdown and deterioration of products and preparations

buffering agent

used to resist a change in pH upon dilution or addition of acid

clarifying agent

used as a filtering aid for its absorbant qualities

emulsifying agent

used to facilitate and promote dispersion of finely subdivided particles in a liquid vehicles

encapsulating agent

used to form thin shells (capsules) to enclose drug for ease of administration

humectants

prevent drying of ointments and creams

levigating agent

an intervening agent to reduce particle size of a powder

ointment base

semi solid vehicle for medicated ointments

surfactant

absorb surfaces of interfaces to reduce surface tension

suspending agent

viscosity increaser reduces sedimentation rate of particles

disintegrant

promotes disruption of mass into more dissolvable particles

vehicle

carrying agent for making liquids

adsorbent

holds other molecules on its surface by physical or chemical means