INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACEUTICS

• What does the word excipient mean?

  Substance other than the active ingredient
• What are pharmaceutical excipients?

  Substances intentionally included in drug delivery

  
• What factors should be considered when selecting pharmaceutical excipients?

  Efficacy, safety, stability, manufacturing, administration, function

  
• What are the roles of excipients in a formulation?

  • Aid in drug delivery system processing
  • Protect and enhance stability and bioavailability
  • Assist in product identification and safety
  • Enhance drug effectiveness and delivery
  • Maintain drug integrity during storage

  
• What are the ideal characteristics of excipients?

  Compatible, non-toxic, stable, cost-effective
• What are the advantages of using excipients?

  Increases bulk, improves properties, stabilizes formulation
• What are the disadvantages of using excipients?

  May cause interactions, bioavailability problems, allergic reactions
• How are excipients classified by function?

  • Vehicles, solvents, and co-solvents
  • Colouring agents
  • Flavoring agents
  • Sweetening agents
  • Preservatives
  • Antioxidants
  • Emulsifying agents

  
• What is the function of colouring agents?

  Improve visual appeal and ensure uniform appearance
• What are the ideal properties of colouring agents?

  Resistant, easily dissolves, effective in small quantities
• What are the functions of flavouring agents?

  Enhance taste, mask unpleasant flavors, increase adherence
• What are the ideal properties of flavouring agents?

  Masks unpleasant flavors, stable, requires small amounts
• What types of drugs prefer specific flavouring agents?

  Antacids prefer peppermint, antibiotics prefer cherry
• What are the functions of sweetening agents?

  Add sweetness, mask bitterness, improve taste
• What are the ideal properties of sweetening agents?

  Effective in small concentrations, stable, low calorific value
• What are the pharmaceutical applications of sweetening agents?

  • Enhance taste and compliance
  • Preservation in syrups
  • Tablet coating
  • Base for liquid preparations
• What are common preservatives used in the pharmaceutical industry?

  Methyl, ethyl, propyl parabens, benzoic acid
• What are the functions of antioxidants?

  Prevent oxidation, prolong shelf life, ensure safety
• What are common antioxidants used in the pharmaceutical industry?

  Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, ascorbic acid
• What is the definition of emulsifying agents?

  Substances that stabilize emulsions by preventing separation
• How do hydrophilic and lipophilic emulsifiers differ?

  Hydrophilic forms o/w emulsion, lipophilic forms w/o emulsion
• What are the functions of emulsifying agents?

  Stabilize emulsions, improve drug absorption, ensure uniformity
• What is the origin of the word excipient?

  Derived from Latin excipere, meaning 'to except'
• Why is it important to evaluate excipients for safety?

  To avoid potential side effects in patients
• How do excipients impact drug bioavailability?

  They can enhance or hinder absorption of drugs
• What is the significance of matching excipients with dosage forms?

  Ensures proper drug delivery and effectiveness
• What are the ideal properties of preservatives?

  Effective in low concentrations, broad-spectrum activity
• What are the ideal properties of antioxidants?

  Effective at low concentrations, stable under conditions
• What is the role of emulsifying agents in stabilizing emulsions?

  Prevent separation of oil and water phases
• What are emulsifying agents?

  Substances that stabilize emulsions
• How do emulsifying agents stabilize emulsions?

  By preventing the separation of oil and water
• What are the two portions of emulsifying agents?

  Hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions
• What type of emulsion does a hydrophilic emulsifier form?

  Oil-in-water emulsion
• What type of emulsion does a lipophilic emulsifier form?

  Water-in-oil emulsion
• What are the functions of emulsifying agents?

  • Stabilize emulsions
  • Improve drug absorption
  • Ensure product uniformity
  • Enhance appearance
  • Prolong shelf life
• What is an ideal property of emulsifying agents regarding odor?

  Odorless and neutral
• Why is it important for emulsifying agents to reduce interfacial tension?

  To help oil and water phases mix effectively
• What is a suspending agent?

  A substance that increases liquid viscosity
• What is the primary function of suspending agents?

  To stabilize suspension and prevent sedimentation
• What are the ideal properties of suspending agents?

  • Should not affect drug bioavailability
  • Should remain stable over shelf life