Excipient Definitions

Question 1

used in liquid preparation to provide acidic medium for product stability

Answer 1

acidifying agent

Question 2

used in liquid preparations to provide alkaline medium for product stability

Answer 2

alkalinizing agent

Question 3

an agent capable of holding other molecules onto its surface by physical or chemical (chemisorption) means

Answer 3

adsorbent

Question 4

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

Answer 4

aerosol propellant

Question 5

agent employed to displace air in a hermetically sealed container to enhance product stability

Answer 5

air displacement

Question 6

used in liquid and semisolid preps to prevent growth of fungi. effectiveness of parabens is usually enhanced by use in combination

Answer 6

antifungal preservative

Question 7

used in liquid and semisolid preps to prevent growth of microorganisms

Answer 7

antimicrobial preservative

Question 8

used to prevent deterioration of preparations by oxidation

Answer 8

antioxidant

Question 9

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

Answer 9

buffering agent

Question 10

substance that forms stable water-soluble complexes with metals; used in some liquid pharmaceuticals as stabilizers to complex heavy metals that might promote instability. in such use, also called sequestering agents

Answer 10

chelating agent

Question 11

used to impart color to liquid and solid preps

Answer 11

colorant

Question 12

used as a filtering aid for its adsorbent qualities

Answer 12

clarifying agent

Question 13

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

Answer 13

emulsifying agent

Question 14

used to form thin shells to enclose a drug for ease of administration

Answer 14

encapsulating agent

Question 15

used to impart a pleasant flavor and often odor to a prep

Answer 15

flavorant

Question 16

used to prevent drying of preparations, particularly ointments and creams

Answer 16

humectant

Question 17

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

Answer 17

levigating agent

Question 18

semisolid vehicle for medicated ointments

Answer 18

ointment base

Question 19

component of film-coating solutions to make film more pliable, enhance spread of coat over tablets, beads, and granules

Answer 19

plasticizer

Question 20

used to dissolve another substance in prep of a soln, may be aqueous or not. cosolvents like water or alcohol may be used when needed.

Answer 20

solvent

Question 21

used to increase thickness or hardness of a prep, usually an ointment

Answer 21

stiffening agent

Question 22

vehicle for suppositories

Answer 22

suppository base

Question 23

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

Answer 23

surfactant (surface activate agent)

Question 24

viscosity-increasing agent used to reduce sedimentation rate of particles in a vehicle in which they are not soluble

Answer 24

suspending agent

Question 25

used to impart sweetness to a prep

Answer 25

sweetening agent

Question 26

prevent tablet ingredients from sticking to punches and dies dies during production

Answer 26

tablet antiadherants

Question 27

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

Answer 27

tablet and capsule diluent

Question 28

used to coat a tablet to protect against decomposition, mask a taste, or aesthetic purpose.

Answer 28

tablet coating agent

Question 29

passes through stomach to break up in the intestines

Answer 29

enteric coating

Question 30

generally breaks up in the stomach

Answer 30

sugar coating

Question 31

forms a thin cover around a formed tablet or bead

Answer 31

film coating

Question 32

used in direct compression tablet formulations

Answer 32

tablet direct compression excipient

Question 33

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

Answer 33

tablet disintegrant

Question 34

used in tablet and capsule forms to improv flow properties of the powder mixture

Answer 34

tablet glidant

Question 35

used in tablet formulations to reduce friction during tablet compression

Answer 35

tablet lubricant

Question 36

used to render a coating opaque. may be used alone or with a colorant

Answer 36

tablet or capsule opaquant

Question 37

used to impart an attractive sheen to coated tablets

Answer 37

tablet polishing agent

Question 38

used to render solution similar in osmotic-dextrose characteristics to physiologic fluids, and irrigation fluids

Answer 38

tonicity agent

Question 39

carrying agent used in formulating a variety of liquids for oral and parenteral admin

Answer 39

vehicle

Question 40

oral liquids are generally ____ or ____

Answer 40

aqueous (syrups) or hydroalcoholic (elixirs)

Question 41

IV solutions are generally ___

Answer 41

aqeous

Question 42

IM injections are generally ___ or _____

Answer 42

aqueous or oleaginous

Question 43

used to render preps more resistant to flow. used in suspensions to deter sedimentation

Answer 43

viscosity-increasing agent