Excipients and Their Functions
Start with the big picture
Excipient choice depends on the purpose and dosage form. Diluents add bulk to support accurate dosing, while binders help granules cohere and tablets gain mechanical strength. Disintegrants promote tablet breakup, and lubricants and glidants assist manufacture by reducing friction and improving powder flow. Coatings can mask taste, protect the active ingredient, or modify release. In liquid products, solvents or vehicles help dissolve or suspend the active ingredient; preservatives inhibit microbial growth in multi-dose systems. Antioxidants and buffers support stability, while sweeteners, flavors, and colors can improve palatability or identification. Excipients are not necessarily inert: they may affect bioavailability, stability, and tolerability. The full lesson considers these functions across formulation and development.
What you'll learn
- Explain why excipients are included in pharmaceutical formulations.
- Distinguish the roles of diluents, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, and glidants.
- Describe how coatings can protect an active ingredient or modify release.
- Identify excipients that support liquid-product formulation, preservation, and stability.
- Recognize how excipient selection may influence bioavailability and patient tolerability.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
