From the Research
In dosage forms, a base refers to the primary inactive ingredient or vehicle that carries the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and provides the physical structure of the medication, as seen in the context of pharmaceutical salts and their stability in solid oral dosage forms 1. When considering the meaning of base in dosage forms, it's essential to understand the role of bases in formulations like ointments, creams, suppositories, and certain tablets.
- Bases serve as the foundation for these formulations, determining characteristics like spreadability, absorption, and stability.
- For example, in topical preparations, common bases include petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lanolin, or polyethylene glycol, which impact the medication's performance.
- In suppositories, cocoa butter or polyethylene glycol bases melt at body temperature to release medication, illustrating the importance of base selection in drug delivery. The choice of base significantly impacts drug release rate, stability, and therapeutic effectiveness, as noted in the study on modular solid dosage form design 2.
- A hydrophilic base like polyethylene glycol promotes water solubility and faster drug release, while lipophilic bases like petroleum jelly create a barrier effect for prolonged action.
- Pharmacists and formulators select specific bases based on the drug's properties, intended route of administration, desired release profile, and patient factors such as skin sensitivity or allergies, highlighting the critical role of bases in medication development 3. The base is not merely an inactive carrier but a critical component that influences the medication's overall performance and therapeutic outcome, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in dosage form design 2.