FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

Disintegrants in tablet formulations are primarily used to:

1. Enhance lubrication

2. Promote disintegration

3. Increase bulk

4. Provide stability

The correct answer is: Promote disintegration

Disintegrants in tablet formulations serve a pivotal role in promoting the breakdown of the tablet into its individual components once ingested. Their primary function is to facilitate the disintegration of the tablet in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing for the effective release of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. This process is crucial for ensuring that the drug is available for absorption in the body. Disintegrants work by absorbing water, swelling, and sometimes generating gas, which helps to break the solid tablet structure apart. The effective use of disintegrants aids in achieving the desired pharmacokinetic profile of the drug, leading to improved bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. In contrast, other choices such as enhancing lubrication, increasing bulk, or providing stability do not accurately reflect the specific purpose of disintegrants. While these functions are important in tablet formulation, they are associated with other components or excipients in the formulation process, like lubricants for ease of manufacturing or stabilizers for maintaining the integrity of the active ingredients.