inactive ingredient
Non-therapeutic pill component
An inactive ingredient is a component in a medication, food product, or cosmetic that has no therapeutic or functional effect—it doesn't do what the product is meant to do.
Inactive ingredients serve other purposes: binding tablets together, adding flavor, preserving shelf life, or giving products their color and texture.
The label lists both active and inactive ingredients.
Also called excipient in pharmaceutical contexts.
Device securing loose pages
- fillerSubstance closing gaps
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
- vehicleMeans of transport
- carrierOne that transports
solvent · plasticizer · coating · emulsifier · surfactant · humectant · opacifier
Additive reducing bitterness
- saccharinCalorie-free synthetic sweetener
- aspartameArtificial low-calorie sweetener
- sucraloseArtificial zero-calorie sweetener
- steviaPlant-derived sugar alternative
menthol · vanilla · cherry flavor · citrus oil · peppermint oil · grape flavor · bubblegum flavor · orange flavor
Combines immiscible liquids
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- gelling agentSubstance creating semi-solid consistency
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- lecithinNatural emulsifying compound
xanthan gum · guar gum · alginate · pectin · gelatin
Disaccharide in dairy
- starchComplex plant carbohydrate
- calcium phosphateMineral compound in bones
- mannitolSix-carbon sugar alcohol
- sorbitolPolyol sweetener and humectant
sucrose · dextrose · kaolin · talc · maltodextrin · corn starch · calcium carbonate · xylitol
White inorganic pigment compound
- iron oxideFe plus oxygen
- carmineDeep red from insects
- annattoPlant-derived food colorant
- turmericYellow rhizome spice
beetroot red · riboflavin · chlorophyll · carbon black · saffron · spirulina · cochineal
Oxidation-preventing molecule
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- parabenCosmetic antimicrobial compound
- potassium sorbateAntimicrobial food preservative salt
- thimerosalOrganomercury antiseptic preservative
binder
Device securing loose pages
carrier · solvent · plasticizer · coating · emulsifier · surfactant · humectant · opacifier
sweetener
Additive reducing bitterness
- saccharinCalorie-free synthetic sweetener
- aspartameArtificial low-calorie sweetener
- sucraloseArtificial zero-calorie sweetener
stevia · menthol · vanilla · cherry flavor · citrus oil · peppermint oil · grape flavor · bubblegum flavor · orange flavor · strawberry flavor
emulsifier
Combines immiscible liquids
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- gelling agentSubstance creating semi-solid consistency
- bufferProtective intermediate space
lecithin · xanthan gum · guar gum · alginate · pectin · gelatin
lactose
Disaccharide in dairy
- starchComplex plant carbohydrate
- calcium phosphateMineral compound in bones
- mannitolSix-carbon sugar alcohol
sorbitol · sucrose · dextrose · kaolin · talc · maltodextrin · corn starch · calcium carbonate · xylitol
titanium dioxide
White inorganic pigment compound
- iron oxideFe plus oxygen
- carmineDeep red from insects
- annattoPlant-derived food colorant
turmeric · beetroot red · riboflavin · chlorophyll · carbon black · saffron · spirulina · cochineal
antioxidant
Oxidation-preventing molecule
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- parabenCosmetic antimicrobial compound
- potassium sorbateAntimicrobial food preservative salt
- pharmacypharmacist, pharmacy, prescription, dispensing, prescriptions
- pharmacologypharmacology, drugs, pharmacokinetics, dose, drug
- FDAdrug approval, approval letter, drug recall, recalls, labeling laws
- medicationspills, Tylenol, capsules, tablets, Xanax
inactive ingredientactive ingredient
Substance producing the effect
API · drug · medicine · key ingredient
inactive, ingredient, active, activity, inactivity, actively, activate, activation, inactivate