The Role of Excipients in Pharmaceutical Formulation: Extended Brief Review

Excipients, once regarded as inert ingredients, are now recognized as essential components in pharmaceutical formulations. They not only support manufacturing but also influence the stability, bioavailability, release profile, and therapeutic performance of drugs. This extended brief review summarizes the functional roles, classifications, mechanisms, recent innovations, and quality standards associated with excipients. A flowchart of excipient functions is included for clarity