Pharmaceutical Excipients MCPHS Exam Questions
And Answers
Emulsifying Agent- Answer Acacia, cetomacrogol, very alcohol
Sweetening Agent- Answer Aspartame, Dextrose, Glycerin, Syrups, Lactose, Mannitol,
Sorbitol, Phenylalanine, Stevia, Xylitol
Flavorant- Answer Anise oil, Cinamon oil, Cocoa
Tablet Binders- Answer Acaicia, Alginic acid, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
Enteric Coating- Answer Acid resistant protective layer to prevent dissolution in the
stomach.
Cellulose acetate phthalate, shellac
Suspending Agent- Answer Agar, Bentonite, Carbomer
Film Coating- Answer Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose
Buffering Agent - Answer Buffers keep the formulation within the acceptable pH range.
Sodium phosphate, potassium acetate
Viscosity Increasing Agent - Answer Alginic acid, Bentonite, Carbomer
Surfactant - Answer Benzalkonium chloride, Nonoxynol 10, Octoxynol 9
Suppository Base - Answer Suppository bases must remain solid for insertion, but melt
after insertion
, Hydrogenated vegetable oils, Cocoa butter, PEG's, PEG 3350
Antifungal Preservative - Answer Butylparaban, Ethylparaban, Methylparaban
Antioxidant - Answer Prevents oxidation.
Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate, Sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfate
Tablet and Capsule Diluent - Answer To add size to very small disages.
Liquid fillers include water, glycerol and alcohol.
Solid fillers include: Starches, Manitol, Sorbitol, Cellulose, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate,
Kaolin, Lactose
Tablet Disintegrant - Answer Helps the tablet disintegrate. Alginates absorb water,
causing the tablet to swell and burst.
Alginic acid, Polocrilin potassium, Sodium Alginate, Cellulose products, Starches,
Compressible Sugar (Nu-Tab)
Tablet Glidant - Answer Improves flow of properties of the powder mixture in tablet and
capsule formulations by reducing interparticle friction.
Colloidal silica, Magnesium Stearate, Cornstarch, Talc
Tablet Lubricant/antiadherent - Answer Keep the ingredients from sticking to each other
and equipments.
Calcium stearate, Magnesium stearate, Mineral Oil
Hydrophillic Solvent - Answer Liquid with high miscibility with water, used to dissolve
solutes.
And Answers
Emulsifying Agent- Answer Acacia, cetomacrogol, very alcohol
Sweetening Agent- Answer Aspartame, Dextrose, Glycerin, Syrups, Lactose, Mannitol,
Sorbitol, Phenylalanine, Stevia, Xylitol
Flavorant- Answer Anise oil, Cinamon oil, Cocoa
Tablet Binders- Answer Acaicia, Alginic acid, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
Enteric Coating- Answer Acid resistant protective layer to prevent dissolution in the
stomach.
Cellulose acetate phthalate, shellac
Suspending Agent- Answer Agar, Bentonite, Carbomer
Film Coating- Answer Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose
Buffering Agent - Answer Buffers keep the formulation within the acceptable pH range.
Sodium phosphate, potassium acetate
Viscosity Increasing Agent - Answer Alginic acid, Bentonite, Carbomer
Surfactant - Answer Benzalkonium chloride, Nonoxynol 10, Octoxynol 9
Suppository Base - Answer Suppository bases must remain solid for insertion, but melt
after insertion
, Hydrogenated vegetable oils, Cocoa butter, PEG's, PEG 3350
Antifungal Preservative - Answer Butylparaban, Ethylparaban, Methylparaban
Antioxidant - Answer Prevents oxidation.
Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate, Sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfate
Tablet and Capsule Diluent - Answer To add size to very small disages.
Liquid fillers include water, glycerol and alcohol.
Solid fillers include: Starches, Manitol, Sorbitol, Cellulose, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate,
Kaolin, Lactose
Tablet Disintegrant - Answer Helps the tablet disintegrate. Alginates absorb water,
causing the tablet to swell and burst.
Alginic acid, Polocrilin potassium, Sodium Alginate, Cellulose products, Starches,
Compressible Sugar (Nu-Tab)
Tablet Glidant - Answer Improves flow of properties of the powder mixture in tablet and
capsule formulations by reducing interparticle friction.
Colloidal silica, Magnesium Stearate, Cornstarch, Talc
Tablet Lubricant/antiadherent - Answer Keep the ingredients from sticking to each other
and equipments.
Calcium stearate, Magnesium stearate, Mineral Oil
Hydrophillic Solvent - Answer Liquid with high miscibility with water, used to dissolve
solutes.
