Uses of Diluents in Pharmaceuticals
Diluents are also very important in the pharmaceutical industry. They are inactive ingredients that are added to tablets and capsules in addition to the active drug. For example, a Tylenol 325 mg tablet does not weigh 325 mg. This is the weight of the active acetaminophen, while the tablet weighs more due to other additives known as diluents. These additives may be used as binders, disintegrants (help the tablet break apart in the digestive system), or flavor enhancers. Some very common diluents in tablets include starch, cellulose derivatives, and magnesium stearate (a lubricant). (See also Excipient.)
In the black market in illegal drugs such as cocaine, drugs may be "cut" with diluents or fillers to give the appearance of a larger quantity.
Diluents are also used in vaccines to reconstitute the vaccine after storage, such as MMR.
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