excipient

Formal Definition

Any constituent of a medicinal product other than the active substance and the packaging material.

Explanation

Pharmaceutical excipients are natural or synthetic substances combined with the active substance in a dosage form. Excipients assist the drug or active substances to be better metabolised or administered. They protect, support or enhance stability or facilitate absorption of the medicine in the body. They may also assist in product identification (e.g. by colour of a tablet/capsule).