Ansel's Terminologies Flashcards
Used in liquid preparations to provide acidic
medium for product stability
Acidifying agent
Used in liquid preparations to provide alkaline
medium for product stability
Alkalinizing agent
An agent capable of holding other molecules onto
its surface by physical or chemical (chemisorption)
means
Adsorbent
Agent responsible for developing the pressure
within an aerosol container and expelling the
product when the valve is opened
Aerosol propellant
Agent employed to displace air in a hermetically
sealed container to enhance product stability
Air displacement
Used in liquid and semisolid preparations to prevent
growth of fungi. Effectiveness of parabens is usually
enhanced by use in combination
Antifungal preservative
Used in liquid and semisolid preparations to prevent
growth of microorganisms
Antimicrobial preservative
Used to prevent deterioration of preparations by
oxidation
Antioxidant
Used to resist change in pH upon dilution or
addition of acid or alkali
Buffering agent
Substance that forms stable water-soluble
complexes (chelates) with metals; used in some
liquid pharmaceuticals as stabilizers to complex
heavy metals that might promote instability. In such
use, they are also called sequestering agents
Chelating agent
Used to impart color to liquid and solid (e.g., tablets
and capsules) preparations
Colorant
Used as a filtering aid for its adsorbent qualities
Clarifying agent
Used to promote and maintain dispersion of finely
subdivided particles of liquid in a vehicle in which it
is immiscible. End product may be a liquid emulsion
or semisolid emulsion (e.g., a cream)
Emulsifying agent
Used to form thin shells to enclose a drug for ease
of administration
Encapsulating agent
Used to impart a pleasant flavor and often odor to
a preparation. In addition to the natural flavorants
listed, many synthetic ones are used
Flavorant
Used to prevent drying of preparations, particularly
ointments and creams
Humectant
Liquid used as an intervening agent to reduce the
particle size of a powder by grinding, usually in a
mortar
Levigating agent
Semisolid vehicle for medicated ointments
Ointment base
Component of film-coating solutions to make film
more pliable, enhance spread of coat over tablets,
beads, and granules
Plasticizer
Used to dissolve another substance in preparation
of a solution; may be aqueous or not (e.g.,
oleaginous). Cosolvents, such as water and alcohol
(hydroalcoholic) and water and glycerin, may be
used when needed. Sterile solvents are used in
certain preparations (e.g., injections)
Solvent
Used to increase thickness or hardness of a
preparation, usually an ointment
Stiffening agent
Vehicle for suppositories
Suppository base
Substances that absorb to surfaces or interfaces to
reduce surface or interfacial tension. May be used
as wetting agents, detergents, or emulsifying agents
Surfactant (surface active
agent)
Viscosity-increasing agent used to reduce
sedimentation rate of particles in a vehicle in which
they are not soluble; suspension may be formulated
for oral, parenteral, ophthalmic, topical, or other
route
Suspending agent