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Pharmaceutical Excipients

A tablet contains active ingredients as well as other substances known as excipients, which have specific functions. A pharmaceutical excipient is defined as an inactive ingredient or any component other than the active ingredient added intentionally to the medicinal formulation or everything in the formulation except the active drug.

Pharmaceutical excipients are also called additives, pharmaceutical ingredients, or inactive pharmaceutical ingredients. The reasons for selecting and adding these pharmaceutical excipients in formulations are to alter the Physicochemical properties such as solubility, stability and metabolism. The Bioavailability of drugs can also be varied by pharmaceutical excipients.

Pharmaceutical excipents are categorised into the following

  • Dilutents or fillers are commonly added to increase the bulk of the formulation
  • Binders to cause the adhesion of the powdered drug and pharmaceutical substances
  • Antiadherents or lubricants to assist in the smooth tableting process
  • Disintegrating agents to promote tablet break - up after administration
  • Coating agents to improve stability, control disintegration, or enhance appearance

Subcategories
Filling Agent Inert substance used as filler to create desired bulk, flow properties, and compression characteristics in preparation of tablets. Examples include Dibasic calcium phosphate, kaolin, lactose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, precipitated calcium carbonate, sorbitol, starch

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Binding Agent Substance used to cause adhesion of powder particles in tablet granulations such as : Acacia, alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium compressible sugar, ethylcellulose gelatin, liquid glucose, metylcellulose, povidone, pregelatinized starch

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Flowing Agent Flowing agents help products flow smoothly through the manufacturing equipment. Magnesium Stearate is used to help the finished products be released from the die and prevent the product sticking to the machinery. Silicon Dioxide is used in hydrophobic products that tend to clump together; this helps them enter the machinery correctly.

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Directly Compressible Excipients These are products which remove the need for granulation of the formula. By simplifying the process of tablet production the only steps required are blending and compression. We stock Directly Compressible Lactose (also known as Ludipress), Di calcium Phosphate and MCC. DC Lactose (Ludipress), Microcystalline Cellulose and Di Calcium Phosphate can be processed in a dry formulation for ease of use.

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Sweeteners & Flavourings To help reduce calorific intake but keep the taste of products we have a range of sweeteners you can you to make hard diets that bit easier. We also offer a range of flavourings and flavouring systems so you can build your own supplements and make them taste as good as the branded products.

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