What is an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient ?
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)
An active pharmaceutical ingredient is the main component of the drug product or formulation and is responsible for producing the intended effects. An API is the main component of a drug product responsible for therapeutic effects such as relieving pain, reducing fever, treating infections, etc.
This active moiety or API is combined with suitable excipients from drug products like tablets, capsules, injection solutions, and syrups based on the need and age of the patient. For example, paracetamol is taken as a tablet by adults in different strengths, whereas it is given to children as suspension.
These active pharmaceutical ingredients can be derived from various sources as follows
- Chemical synthesis
- Biotechnology
- Natural sources
During the formulation of a drug product, the API is combined with other inert ingredients like excipients which aid in delivering the drug to the desired site of action and they enhance the overall product quality.
API – Responsible for the therapeutic activity
EXCIPIENTS – These are inert substances added to increase the bulk of the drug product and aid in delivering drug to the body.
Some examples of API include
- Paracetamol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Penicillin
- Methotrexate
- Aspirin
- Amoxicillin
- Insulin
- Omeprazole