Classification of Excipients
Start with the big picture
Excipient functions range from shaping solid dosage forms to supporting liquid formulations. Diluents add bulk, binders promote cohesion, and disintegrants help tablets break up in gastrointestinal fluids. Lubricants, glidants, and antiadherents assist powder handling and compression, while coating agents and plasticizers contribute to film properties. Other groups address acceptability, identification, and product quality: sweeteners and flavors, colorants and opaquants, preservatives, antioxidants, chelating agents, buffers, and tonicity adjusters. The broader classification also includes solvents and cosolvents, surfactants and emulsifiers, as well as origin-based and dosage form-specific groupings. Excipient selection is formulation-specific; for example, excess lubricant may impair dissolution.
What you'll learn
- Explain why excipients are included in pharmaceutical formulations.
- Distinguish the functions of common tablet and capsule excipient classes.
- Identify excipient groups that support stability, acceptability, and formulation properties.
- Describe how excipient classification can also reflect origin or dosage form.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
