Excipients

Question 1

Acidifying agent

Answer 1

Used in liquid preparations to provide
acidic medium for product stability

1) Citric acid
2) Acetic acid
3) Fumaric acid

Question 2

Alkalinizing agent

Answer 2

Used in liquid preparations to provide
alkaline medium for product stability

1) Ammonia solution
2) Ammonium carbonate
3) Diethanolamine

Question 3

Aerosol propellant

Answer 3

Agent responsible for developing the
pressure within an aerosol container and
expelling the product when the valve is
opened

1) Carbon dioxide
2) Dichlorodifluoromethane
3) Dichlorotetrafluoroethane

Question 4

Antifungal preservative

Answer 4

Used in liquid and semisolid preparations
to prevent growth of fungi. Effectiveness
of parabens is usually enhanced by use in
combination

1) Butylparaben
2) Ethylparaben
3) Methylparaben

Question 5

Antioxidant

Answer 5

Used to prevent deterioration of preparations by oxidation

1) Ascorbic acid
2) Ascorbyl palmitate
3) Butylated hydroxyanisole

Question 6

Buffering agent

Answer 6

Used to resist change in pH upon dilution
or addition of acid or alkali

1) Potassium metaphosphate
2) Potassium phosphate, monobasic
3) Sodium acetate

Question 7

Colorant

Answer 7

Used to impart color to liquid and solid
(e.g., tablets and capsules) preparations

1) FD&C Red No.3
2) FD&C Red No. 20
3) FD&C Yellow No. 6

Question 8

Emulsifying agent

Answer 8

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)

1) Acacia
2) Cetomacrogol
3) Cetyl alcohol

Question 9

Flavorant

Answer 9

Used to impart a pleasant flavor and
often odor to a preparation. In addition
to the natural flavorants listed, many
synthetic ones are used

1) Anise oil
2) Cinnamon oil
3) Cocoa

Question 10

Humectant

Answer 10

Used to prevent drying of preparations,
particularly ointments and creams

1) Glycerin
2) Propylene glycol
3) Sorbitol

Question 11

Levigating agent

Answer 11

Liquid used as an intervening agent to
reduce the particle size of a powder by
grinding, usually in a mortar

1) Mineral oil
2) Glycerin
3) Propylene glycol

Question 12

Ointment base

Answer 12

Semisolid vehicle for medicated ointments

1) Lanolin
2) Hydrophilic ointment
3) Polyethylene glycol ointment

Question 13

Solvent

Answer 13

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)

1) Alcohol
2) Corn oil
3) Cottonseed oil

Question 14

Stiffening agent

Answer 14

Used to increase thickness or hardness of a preparation, usually an ointment

1) Cetyl alcohol
2) Cetyl esters wax
3) Microcrystalline wax

Question 15

Suppository base

Answer 15

Vehicle for suppositories

1) Cocoa butter
2) Polyethylene glycols
mixtures
3) PEG 3350

Question 16

Surfactant (surface active agent)

Answer 16

Substances that absorb to surfaces or interfaces to reduce surface or interfacial
tension. May be used as wetting agents, detergents, or emulsifying agents

1) Benzalkonium chloride
2) Nonoxynol 10
3) Octoxynol 9

Question 17

Suspending agent

Answer 17

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

1) Agar
2) Bentonite
3) Carbomer (e.g., Carbopol)

Question 18

Sweetening agent

Answer 18

Used to impart sweetness to a preparation

1) Aspartame
2) Dextrose
3) Glycerin

Question 19

Tablet binders

Answer 19

Substances used to cause adhesion of powder particles in tablet granulations

1) Acacia
2) Alginic acid
3) Carboxymethylcellulose sodium

Question 20

Tablet and capsule diluent

Answer 20

Inert filler to create desired bulk, flow properties, and compression characteristics of tablets and capsules

1) Dibasic calcium phosphate
2) Kaolin
3) Lactose

Question 21

Film coating

Answer 21

1) Hydroxyethyl cellulose
2) Hydroxypropyl cellulose
3) Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Question 22

Tablet disintegrant

Answer 22

Used in solid forms to promote disruption of the mass into smaller particles more readily dispersed or dissolved

1) Alginic acid
2) Polacrilin potassium (e.g.,Amberlite)
3) Sodium alginate

Question 23

Tablet glidant

Answer 23

Used in tablet and capsule formulations to improve flow properties of the powder
mixture

1) Colloidal silica
2) Cornstarch
3) Talc

Question 24

Tablet lubricant

Answer 24

Used in tablet formulations to reduce friction during tablet compression

1) Calcium stearate
2) Magnesium stearate
3) Mineral oil

Question 25

Flavored, sweetened

Answer 25

1) Acacia syrup
2) Aromatic syrup
3) Aromatic elixir

Question 26

Oleaginous

Answer 26

1) Corn oil
2) Mineral oil
3) Peanut oil

Question 27

Viscosity-increasing agent

Answer 27

Used to render preparations more resistant to flow. Used in suspensions to deter sedimentation, in ophthalmic solutions to enhance contact time (e.g., methylcellulose), to thicken topical creams, etc.

1) Alginic acid
2) Bentonite
3) Carbomer