NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

Adsorbents in other excipients help to keep powders dry by absorbing moisture. This is important to maintain the stability and integrity of the preparation, especially in formulations where moisture can lead to degradation or alteration of the product. Adsorbents work by attracting and holding water molecules, thereby preventing the powders from clumping or becoming sticky due to moisture. This function is crucial in ensuring the quality and efficacy of the pharmaceutical product. Regarding the other options: A. Adsorbents do not prevent brittleness in preparations; this is typically the role of plasticizers or emollients. C. Reducing surface tension is not a function of adsorbents. D. While adsorbents can indirectly help prevent degradation by keeping powders dry, their primary function is to absorb moisture rather than directly prevent degradation.