Active ingredients are the ingredients in a drug that provide medicinal value, while inactive ingredients act as a vehicle for the drug to be processed by the body more easily. The term is also used by the pesticide industry to describe active insecticides in formulations. In both cases, activity means a specific function.
Most drugs contain a mixture of active ingredients, and their interactions may be important to the efficacy of the drug. In the case of synthetic drugs, pharmaceutical companies have strict control over the potency of ingredients because they need to develop formulations with the goal of controlling disease. Herbalists and companies using natural products also need to be careful in formulation, as the potency of the active ingredients varies and must be controlled on a case-by-case basis.
Branded drugs rely on patents and careful control of active ingredients. Once patented, competitors can only produce generic versions, often using the same ingredients and formulations. However, pharmaceutical companies sometimes make subtle changes to affect a drug’s potency, such as using different inactive ingredients or ingredients from different sources.
Active ingredients in over-the-counter drugs are often listed on the label. It’s a good habit to compare drugs carefully when buying them, because generic brands often have the same ingredients but are much cheaper. Cough syrups from different manufacturers, for example, vary widely in price, but the active ingredients that help patients stop coughing are virtually the same. Comparing ingredients before you buy can save a lot of money.
Inactive ingredients (also called excipients) also play a role. For example, some active ingredients are not absorbed well by the body, so they must be mixed with a soluble excipient to allow the body to process them better. On the other hand, the active ingredient is so powerful that the dosage can be better controlled by mixing excipients.
Post time: Apr-12-2022