Excipients

Question 1

purpose of binders

Answer 1

Binders allow the contents of a tablet to stick together while permitting the contents to be released once ingested

They can provide stability & strength

Question 2

examples of binders

Answer 2

acacia, starch paste, sucrose syrup, compressible sugar (e.g., Nu-Tab)

Question 3

purpose of diluents and fillers

Answer 3

Diluents (to make something more dilute) & fillers (to bulk up a small amount) add size to very small dosages.

In liquids, the diluent helps suspend the drug & facilitates disintegration, which is required for absorption

Question 4

examples of diluents/fillers in tablets/capsules

Answer 4

Sugars: lactose, mannitol, sorbitol
Starches
Calcium salts
Cellulose powder (many uses)

Question 5

examples of diluents/fillers in liquids

Answer 5

water, glycerin, alcohol

Question 6

examples of diluents/fillers in topicals

Answer 6

petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, waxes

Question 7

purpose of disintegrants

Answer 7

Facilitate the breakup of a tablet after oral administration. Oral products have to be dissolved in order to be absorbed in the small intestine, where most drugs are absorbed.

Alginates and cellulose absorb water, causing the tablet to swell & release its contents.

Question 8

examples of disintegrants

Answer 8

alginic acid, cellulose products, polacrilin potassium (e.g., Amberlite), starches

Question 9

examples of coloring agents

Answer 9

D&C Red No. 3, Yellow No. 6, caramel, ferric oxide (red)

Question 10

examples of sweeteners

Answer 10

Non-caloric, artificial: aspartame, saccharin, sucralose
Glycerin
Dextrose
Sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol)
Stevia, monk fruit extract

Question 11

purpose of lubricants

Answer 11

Can be called glidants or anti-adherents. Lubricants & anti-adherents prevent ingredients from sticking to each other & to equipment. This can be useful for tablet molds & punches, suppository molds, & for capsule filling.

Glidants improve powder flowability by reducing interparticle friction.

Question 12

examples of lubricants

Answer 12

Magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid
Colloidal silica
PEG
Glycerin
Mineral oil
Talc

Question 13

purpose of preservatives

Answer 13

Preservatives slow or prevent microorganism growth. They are required in most preparations except if sterile & used immediately or if sealed in single-use preparations.

Ophthalmic (eye) preparations in multi-dose containers need a preservative.

Alcohols & acids are often used as preservatives. Preservatives commonly have “benz,” “cetyl,” “phenyl/ol,” & “parabens” in the name.

Question 14

Do not use preservatives in what population?

Answer 14

neonates

Question 15

examples of preservatives

Answer 15

Chlorhexidine
Povidone iodine
Sodium benzoate/benzoic acid, benzalkonium chloride, benzyl alcohol
Sorbic acid/potassium sorbate
Methyl/ethyl/propyl parabens
EDTA
Thimerosal
Cetylpyridinium chloride

Question 16

purpose of buffers

Answer 16

Buffers keep the pH within a certain range, which can improve the stability and solubility and decrease irritation to sensitive tissues in the body.

Ionized compounds are more polar, which makes them more water-soluble. The pKa determines how much of a compound is ionized when placed into a solution with a set pH. The pH of a buffer system can be calculated with the Henderson-Hasselback equation.

Question 17

examples of buffers used to maintain acidic pH

Answer 17

hydrochloric acid, acetic acid/sodium acetate, citric acid/sodium citrate

Question 18

examples of buffers used to maintain alkaline pH

Answer 18

sodium hydroxide, boric acid/sodium borate, sodium bicarbonate/sodium carbonate

Question 19

examples of buffers used to maintain neutral pH

Answer 19

sodium biphosphate/sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate/metaphosphate