Basics: Excipients Used in Nonsterile Compounding, Part 1.

Due to dosing quantities, physicochemical characteristics, organoleptic issues, and other considerations, drug substances are seldom administered as the pure drug powder. Instead, they are formulated into appropriate dosage forms to provide an efficacious, safe, stable, and suitable product for patient administration that should also enhance compliance. The ingredients present, in addition to the active drug substance, are pharmaceutical ingredients or excipients and are varied and complex in their nature and application. They are generally categorized into different groups, depending upon their usage in a dosage form. It is helpful to look at the general categories and their relationship as well as going into detail regarding their characteristics and applications. In subsequent issues, excipients will be discussed in more detail along with applications of the various categories.