Word Excipient is derived from the Latin word Excipere means “To except” and simply means other than API, all other ingredients in a dosage form are excipients.
- Some excipients have multiple functions e.g. starch is used as a binder, disintegrant and also as diluent.
Properties of Excipientd
Excipients should have the following properties
- No Pharmacological effect.
- Cost-effective.
- Meet regulatory requirements.
- Chemically and physiologically stable.
- Commercially available.
Role of Excipients
- Help in the manufacturing of the drug delivery system.
- Enhance product stability e.g antimicrobial preservatives.
- Help in Product identification e.g colourants.
- Protect the dosage form from oxidation.
- Improve the bioavailability of the drug.
- Sweeteners modify the taste of medicine.
     Classification of Excipients
According to Route of Administration
- Excipients for OSD
- Excipients for Parenteral Products
- Excipients for Topical Product.
         According to Origin
Marine Origin
- Agar
- chitosan
Animal Origin
- Lactose(Dairy industry byproduct)
- Gelatin(Bones and collagen of animals)
- Bee wax
- Stearic acid
- Shellac
- Lanolin
Organic Chemicals
- Sugars
- Starch
- Cellulose
Inorganic Chemicals
- Calcium carbonate
Synthetic
- PVP
Semisynthetic
- HPC
- HPMC
According to Function
- Diluents
- Disintegrants
- Binders
- Glidents
- Lubricants
- Colourants
- Sweeteners
- Preservatives
- Suspending Agents
- Flavouring Agents
- Film former etc
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