Chemistry of excipients derived from natural products

Question 1

Name examples of excipients

Answer 1

Diluents or fillers
Disintegrants
Solvents
Surfactants or emulsifiers
Lubricants or glidants
Preservatives
Coatings
Flavourings
Colourings

Question 2

Define excipient

Answer 2

Is a substance that is not an active drug that is used in a formulation to optimise the delivery of the active drug to its site of action in the body

Question 3

What are the ideal excipients?

Answer 3

Cheap/ inexpensive
Biologically inert - no physiological effects
Chemically inert - no reaction with API
Able to produce a range of physio-chemical properties e.g. depending on application e.g. viscosity and/or solubility

Question 4

Describe the key points lactose

Answer 4

Disaccharide formed via the condensation of galactose and glucose
Forming a beta 1-4 glycosidic bond
Galactose is always in the beta-pyranose form, glucose can be either alpha or beta
Beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1->4)-alpha-D-glucopyranose

Question 5

What is lactose mainly used for?

Answer 5

Mainly a filler and/or binder, naturally sweet
Extremely prevalent in tablets