Excipients

• What is the origin of the word excipient?

  Derived from Latin excipere, meaning 'to except'
• What are pharmaceutical excipients?

  Substances other than the active pharmaceutical ingredient
• Why are excipients included in drug delivery systems?

  They are evaluated for safety and effectiveness

  
• What factors are considered when selecting pharmaceutical excipients?

  • Efficacy: Impact on bioavailability
  • Safety: Avoid side effects
  • Stability: Maintain potency and quality
  • Manufacturing: Support efficient production
  • Administration: Match dosage form
  • Function: Specific role in formulation

  
• What role do excipients play in drug formulations?

  They aid in processing and enhance stability

  
• What is an ideal characteristic of excipients?

  Should be compatible with drug and ingredients
• What are the advantages of using excipients in pharmaceuticals?

  • Increases bulk of the drug
  • Serves as vehicle for formulation
  • Improves organoleptic properties
  • Enhances wetting properties
  • Stabilizes formulation

  
• What are the disadvantages of using excipients?

  • May cause chemical interactions
  • May interact with packaging materials
  • May cause bioavailability problems
  • May cause allergic reactions
• How are excipients classified by function?

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

  
• What are the functions of colouring agents?

  • Improve visual appeal
  • Align color with flavor
  • Ensure uniform appearance
  • Provide visual identification
• What are ideal properties of colouring agents?

  Resistant to light, temperature, and pH
• What are the types of colouring agents?

  1. Natural colours

  • Mineral, plant, animal origin

  1. Synthetic colours

  • Produced by chemical synthesis
• What are the functions of flavouring agents?

  • Enhance desirable taste profiles
  • Mask unpleasant tastes
  • Increase adherence to treatment
  • Align flavors with product use
• What are ideal properties of flavouring agents?

  Should mask unpleasant flavors effectively
• What are preferred flavouring agents for antibiotics?

  • Cherry
  • Maple
  • Pineapple
  • Strawberry
• How does flavor preference vary with age?

  • Children: Prefer sweet flavors
  • Adults: Favor acidic tastes
  • Elderly: Prefer mint flavors
• What are the functions of sweetening agents?

  • Add sweetness and mask bitterness
  • Increase adherence to treatment
  • Protect active ingredients from degradation
• What are ideal properties of sweetening agents?

  Effective in small concentrations
• What are the pharmaceutical applications of sweetening agents?

  • Enhance taste and compliance
  • Preservation in syrups
  • Tablet coating
  • Base for liquid preparations
• What are common natural sweeteners used in pharmaceuticals?

  • Sucrose
  • Sorbitol
  • Xylitol
  • Mannitol
• What are common artificial sweeteners used in pharmaceuticals?

  • Aspartame
  • Sucralose
  • Saccharin
• What are the functions of preservatives?

  • Prevent microbial growth
  • Prolong drug shelf life
  • Maintain sterility in products
• What are ideal properties of preservatives?

  Effective in low concentrations
• What are common preservatives used in the pharmaceutical industry?

  • Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl parabens
  • Benzoic acid
  • Sorbic acid
  • Chlorocresol
• What are the functions of antioxidants?

  • Prevent oxidation
  • Prolong shelf life
  • Ensure safety
  • Preserve quality
• What are ideal properties of antioxidants?

  Effective at low and nontoxic concentrations
• What are common antioxidants used in the pharmaceutical industry?

  • Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT)
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Sodium metabisulphite
• What is the definition of emulsifying agents?

  • Stabilize emulsions by preventing separation
• What are the roles of emulsifying agents?

  • Stabilize emulsions
  • Improve drug absorption
  • Ensure product uniformity
  • Enhance appearance
• What type of emulsion does a hydrophilic emulsifier form?

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

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

  • Stabilize emulsions
  • Improve drug absorption
  • Ensure product uniformity
  • Enhance appearance
• 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