What is the main role of excipients in pharmaceutical formulations?

Excipients play a crucial role in pharmaceutical formulations primarily by facilitating drug delivery. They are inactive substances that serve as the medium for the drug, ensuring that the therapeutic compound is delivered effectively to the intended site of action in the body. Excipients can enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the medication.

For instance, excipients can act as fillers or binders in solid dosage forms, aiding in the compaction and stability of tablets. They can also include surfactants that improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs or preservatives that prolong the shelf-life of liquid formulations. By optimizing the formulation, excipients ensure that the drug performs as intended when administered to patients.

The other options, while they may describe some of the impacts or functions of certain excipients, do not capture the primary role as accurately as the selected choice does. Excipient functions like taste masking or potentially increasing production costs are secondary considerations in the broader context of how excipients are used to enhance delivery and efficacy of the active ingredients in various forms of medication.