A more or less inert substance added in a prescription as a diluent or vehicle or to give form or consistency when the remedy is given in pill form; e.g., simple syrup, vegetable gums, aromatic powder, honey, and various elixirs. [L. excipiens; pres. p. of ex- cipio, to take out]
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ex·cip·i·ent ik-'sip-ē-ənt n a usu. inert substance (as gum arabic, syrup, lanolin, or starch) that forms a vehicle (as for a drug or antigen) esp one that in the presence of sufficient liquid gives a medicated mixture the adhesive quality needed for the preparation of pills or tablets
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n.
a substance that is combined with a drug in order to render it suitable for administration; for example in the form of pills. Excipients should have no pharmacological action themselves.
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ex·cip·i·ent (ek-sipґe-ənt) [L. excipiens] any more or less inert substance added to a prescription in order to confer a suitable consistency or form to the drug; called also vehicle.Medical dictionary. 2011.