Excipients Flashcards
Acidifying agent
Used in liquid preparations to provide
acidic medium for product stability
1) Citric acid
2) Acetic acid
3) Fumaric acid
Alkalinizing agent
Used in liquid preparations to provide
alkaline medium for product stability
1) Ammonia solution
2) Ammonium carbonate
3) Diethanolamine
Aerosol propellant
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
Antifungal preservative
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
Antioxidant
Used to prevent deterioration of preparations by oxidation
1) Ascorbic acid
2) Ascorbyl palmitate
3) Butylated hydroxyanisole
Buffering agent
Used to resist change in pH upon dilution
or addition of acid or alkali
1) Potassium metaphosphate
2) Potassium phosphate, monobasic
3) Sodium acetate
Colorant
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
Emulsifying 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)
1) Acacia
2) Cetomacrogol
3) Cetyl alcohol
Flavorant
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
Humectant
Used to prevent drying of preparations,
particularly ointments and creams
1) Glycerin
2) Propylene glycol
3) Sorbitol
Levigating agent
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
Ointment base
Semisolid vehicle for medicated ointments
1) Lanolin
2) Hydrophilic ointment
3) Polyethylene glycol ointment
Solvent
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
Stiffening agent
Used to increase thickness or hardness of a preparation, usually an ointment
1) Cetyl alcohol
2) Cetyl esters wax
3) Microcrystalline wax
Suppository base
Vehicle for suppositories
1) Cocoa butter
2) Polyethylene glycols
mixtures
3) PEG 3350
Surfactant (surface active agent)
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
Suspending 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
1) Agar
2) Bentonite
3) Carbomer (e.g., Carbopol)
Sweetening agent
Used to impart sweetness to a preparation
1) Aspartame
2) Dextrose
3) Glycerin
Tablet binders
Substances used to cause adhesion of powder particles in tablet granulations
1) Acacia
2) Alginic acid
3) Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
Tablet and capsule diluent
Inert filler to create desired bulk, flow properties, and compression characteristics of tablets and capsules
1) Dibasic calcium phosphate
2) Kaolin
3) Lactose
Film coating
1) Hydroxyethyl cellulose
2) Hydroxypropyl cellulose
3) Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Tablet disintegrant
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
Tablet glidant
Used in tablet and capsule formulations to improve flow properties of the powder
mixture
1) Colloidal silica
2) Cornstarch
3) Talc
Tablet lubricant
Used in tablet formulations to reduce friction during tablet compression
1) Calcium stearate
2) Magnesium stearate
3) Mineral oil
Flavored, sweetened
1) Acacia syrup
2) Aromatic syrup
3) Aromatic elixir
Oleaginous
1) Corn oil
2) Mineral oil
3) Peanut oil
Viscosity-increasing agent
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
