Dear Colleagues; As a continuation of last week’s article, this week’s piece contains very useful information regarding the purposes of excipients contained in the magistral (compounded) preparations we formulate in our pharmacies and their contributions to the formulas they are included in.
The following list has been compiled from various reference sources. This list can be expanded. It should not be considered as a basic template.
| Emulsifying agent | Ensures the dispersion/mixing of one of two normally immiscible liquids within another through the addition of emulsifying agents (emulsifiers). | Acacia Gum arabic Behenoyl Polyoxylglycerides Benzalkonium chloride Benzyl benzoate Caprylic acid Caprylocaproyl Polyoxylglycerides Carbomer Copolymer Carbomer Homopolymer Cetomacrogol Cetyl alcohol Glyceryl monostearate Sorbitan monooleate Polyoxyethylene 50 stearate (myrj23) |
| Encapsulating agent / Capsule-forming agent | Capsule-forming agent | Gelatin |
| Enteric coating | A polymeric barrier that prevents the drug from disintegrating in the stomach and ensures it disintegrates in the small intestine. | Cellulose acetate phthalate Shellac (35% alcohol, pharmaceutical glaze) |
| Film coating | Polymer coating applied to tablets to protect the dosage form. | Hydroxyethyl cellulose Hydroxypropyl cellulose Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (Hypromellose) Methylcellulose (e.g., Methocel) Ethylcellulose (e.g., Ethocel) |
| Flavor | Substances used to impart a pleasant taste and usually an aroma to the drug. Synthetic sweeteners may also be used in addition. | Anise oil Cinnamon oil Cocoa Menthol Orange oil Peppermint oil Vanilla |
| Flavoring / sweetening agent | Imparts a pleasant flavor and sweetness to the prepared medicine. | Acacia syrup Cherry syrup Cocoa syrup Bitter orange syrup |
| Foam adjuvant | Increases the stability of the formula and reduces the specific gravity of the foam. These surfactants can increase foam capacity. | Arachidic acid Arachidyl alcohol Behenic acid Behenyl alcohol Cetyl alcohol Hexadecanoic acid Octacosanoic acid Oleyl alcohol Stearic acid Stearyl alcohol |
| Foaming agent | Amphiphilic substance that facilitates foam formation. | Brij 38 Brij 52 Brij 56 Isoceteth-20 Laureth-4 Lecithin Myrj 45 Myrj 49 Myrj 59 Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60), Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate (Tween 80) Sodium lauryl sulfate Sorbitan laurate Sorbitan monolaurate Sorbitan palmitate Triethanolamine lauryl sulfate |
| Gelling agent | Increases the viscosity of the formula; can act as a stabilizer. | Acrylic acid / ethyl acrylate copolymers Carboxymethyl cellulose Carboxyvinyl polymers Carrageenan gum Egg albumin Gelatin agar Guar gum Hydroxyethyl cellulose Hydroxypropyl guar gum Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose Polymethacrylic acid polymers Polyvinyl alcohol Polyvinylpyrrolidone Locust bean gum Quince seed extract Sodium alginate Sodium caseinate Starch Tragacanth gum Xanthan gum |
| Humectant | Prevents formulas from drying out, especially in ointments and creams. | Glycerin Propylene glycol Sorbitol |
| Hydrophilic solvent | Solvent exhibiting high miscibility with water | Caprylic acid Diethylene glycol Dimethylacetamide Dimethylformamide Dimethyl sulfoxide Dioxolane Di-terpenes Ethylene glycol Glycerin Hexylene glycol Lauric acid Lauryl alcohol Limonene L-menthol Myristyl alcohol Polyethylene glycols Propylene glycol Terpineol Terpenes |
| Hydrophobic solvent | Solvent exhibiting low miscibility with water | Borage seed oil Canola oil Coconut oil Cod liver oil Corn oil Cottonseed oil Docosahexaenoic acid Eicosapentaenoic acid Evening primrose oil Flaxseed oil Gamma-linolenic acid Linoleic acid Linolenic acid Mineral oil Olive oil Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids Salmon oil Sesame oil Certain essential oils Soybean oil Sunflower oil Triglyceride oil Wheat germ oil |
| Levigating agent | Usually used in a mortar to assist with particle size reduction / comminution | Mineral oil Glycerin Propylene glycol |
| Ointment base | Semi-solid vehicles in ointments. | Lanolin Hydrophilic ointment Polyethylene glycol ointment Petrolatum Hydrophilic petrolatum White ointment Yellow ointment Rose water ointment (Cold cream) |
| pH modifier (acidifying agent / alkalizing agent / buffering agent) | Decreases pH or increases pH or protects compounds against rapid pH changes. | Acetic acid Acetic acid, glacial Adipic acid Ammonia solution, strong Ammonium carbonate Ammonium chloride Ammonium phosphate Boric acid Calcium carbonate Calcium hydroxide Calcium lactate Calcium phosphate, tribasic Citric acid, monohydrate Citric acid, anhydrous Diethanolamine Fumaric acid glycine Hydrochloric acid Diluted hydrochloric acid, Alpha-lactalbumin Lactic acid Lysine hydrochloride Maleic acid Methionine Monoethanolamine Monosodium glutamate Nitric acid Phosphoric acid Diluted phosphoric acid, Potassium bicarbonate Potassium citrate Potassium hydroxide Potassium metaphosphate Potassium phosphate, dibasic Potassium phosphate, monobasic Propionic acid Racemethionine Sodium acetate Sodium bicarbonate Sodium borate Sodium carbonate Sodium citrate Sodium hydroxide Sodium lactate solution Sodium phosphate, dibasic Sodium phosphate |
Wishing you a good week…
Exp. Pharm. Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
