An overview of the different excipients useful for the direct compression of tablets

Abstract

The humble tablet dosage form still accounts for more than 80% of all dosage forms administered to man. This review will outline the various excipients that have been used as fillers in direct compression formulations, with particular emphasis on what is expected from such excipients in terms of their functionality. It is intended that this overview (which is by no means exhaustive) will serve as an ‘aide-memoire’ to the formulation scientist.