List of Excipients in Branded Drug ALLERGY RELIEF

Company	Tradename	Ingredient	NDC	Excipient	Potential Generic Entry
Novartis Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6066	CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE
Novartis Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6066	LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE
Novartis Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6066	MAGNESIUM STEARATE
Novartis Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6066	SODIUM STARCH GLYCOLATE TYPE A POTATO
Novartsi Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6122	CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE
Novartsi Consumer Health Inc	ALLERGY RELIEF	loratadine	0067-6122	LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE

Generic Drugs Containing ALLERGY RELIEF

Company	Ingredient	NDC	Excipient
Walgreen Company	loratadine	0363-1612	LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE
Walgreen Company	loratadine	0363-1612	MAGNESIUM STEARATE
Walgreen Company	loratadine	0363-1612	POVIDONE
WALGREENS	cetirizine hydrochloride	0363-1794	HYPROMELLOSES
WALGREENS	cetirizine hydrochloride	0363-1794	LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE
WALGREENS	cetirizine hydrochloride	0363-1794	MAGNESIUM STEARATE

What are the Most Frequently-Used Excipients in ALLERGY RELIEF?

# Of NDCs	Excipient
2	ACETIC ACID
1	ALKYL DIMETHYL BENZYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
1	ANHYDROUS CITRIC ACID
26	ANHYDROUS LACTOSE
2	ASPARTAME
11	BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

Excipient Strategy and Commercial Opportunities for Allergy Relief Drugs

Last updated: February 27, 2026

What are the key considerations for excipient selection in allergy relief formulations?

Excipient choice impacts drug stability, bioavailability, patient compliance, and manufacturing efficiency. Common excipients in allergy relief medications, including antihistamines and decongestants, include binders, fillers, disintegrants, lubricants, and flavorings. The selection depends on dosage form:

• Tablets: Microcrystalline cellulose (filler), croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant), magnesium stearate (lubricant).
• Syrups: Sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup (sweeteners), xanthan gum (thickening agent), preservatives.
• Orally disintegrating tablets: Mannitol (filler), sodium starch glycolate (disintegrant), flavorings.

Formulation stability, taste masking, and regulatory compliance influence excipient choices. For example, flavorings such as mint or cherry improve palatability in syrups and chewables, while preservatives in liquids extend shelf life.

How do excipient choices influence manufacturing and scalability?

Excipients must meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and be compatible with active ingredients. They affect:

• Processability: Some excipients (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose) facilitate compression and granulation.
• Shelf life: Stabilizing excipients like antioxidants prevent active ingredient degradation.
• Cost-effectiveness: Bulk availability and low manufacturing complexity reduce costs.

The shift toward mini-tablets or fast-dissolving formulations impacts excipient selection, favoring those compatible with rapid disintegration and swallowing.

What are the current commercial opportunities in excipients for allergy relief drugs?

The market for allergy relief drugs exceeds $20 billion globally, with a rising demand for innovative formulations. Key opportunities include:

1. Novel excipient development for enhanced delivery

• Development of disintegrants that enable faster onset of action.
• Use of natural excipients for clean-label products, appealing to health-conscious consumers.

2. Formulation differentiation through excipients

• Orally disintegrating tablets with taste-masking agents improve patient adherence.
• Long-acting formulations utilizing sustained-release excipients.

3. Regulatory-driven opportunities

• Excipient innovation that aligns with regulatory standards for pediatric and geriatric populations.

4. Supply chain optimization

• Diversification of excipient sources reduces risk and ensures supply resilience amid COVID-19 disruptions.

5. Custom excipient blends

• Tailored excipient combinations optimize formulation performance, reduce excipient quantity, and lower costs.

What are the key patents and regulatory trends affecting excipient strategies?

Patents in excipient technology are decreasing but remain a barrier for new entrants in high-specificity formulations. Regulatory agencies tighten standards around excipient safety, requiring comprehensive toxicology data.

Regulatory trends include:

• Preference for excipients with established safety profiles.
• Emphasis on excipient transparency and labeling.
• Increasing approval pathways for novel excipients tailored for specific patient populations.

How to capitalize on these opportunities in excipient development?

Strategies include:

• Investing in R&D for natural, biocompatible excipients.
• Partnering with excipient manufacturers to access proprietary technologies.
• Focusing on formulations that meet regulatory demands for pediatric and elderly patients.
• Leveraging supply chain efficiencies to reduce raw material costs.

Key Takeaways

• Excipient selection affects drug stability, delivery, and patient adherence in allergy relief medications.
• The rise of innovative formulations, such as fast-dissolving tablets, presents opportunities for excipient developers.
• Regulatory trends favor excipients with established safety profiles, yet room remains for novel, proprietary excipients.
• Diversification of excipient sources enhances supply chain resilience amid ongoing global disruptions.
• Custom excipient blends facilitate formulation performance and cost reduction.

FAQs

1. What excipients are most commonly used in allergy relief tablets?
Microcrystalline cellulose (filler), croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant), magnesium stearate (lubricant), and flavoring agents.

2. How do excipients influence drug onset in allergy medications?
Disintegrants and fast-dissolving excipients promote quicker release of active ingredients, reducing onset time.

3. Are there natural excipients suitable for allergy relief formulations?
Yes, natural gums, starches, and plant extracts are increasingly used for their safety and consumer appeal.

4. What regulatory challenges exist for novel excipients?
Regulatory agencies require extensive safety and toxicology data, which can prolong approval timelines.

5. How does supply chain disruption affect excipient strategy?
It encourages diversification of suppliers and sourcing from regional manufacturers to ensure continuous production.

---

References

[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Guidance for Industry: Excipients in Oral Drug Products Administered by Ingestion.
[2] European Medicines Agency. (2022). Guideline on the use of excipients in the labelling and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use.
[3] MarketWatch. (2023). Allergy medication market size and growth forecasts.