Silicon Dioxide
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 25, 2025.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Silicon dioxide (SiO2), or silica, is known in nature as sand or quartz. It occurs naturally in the earth’s crust, and silicates are present in water, animals and plants. Silicates are also consumed as part of the natural human diet.
In the pharmaceutical industry, silicon dioxide (also known as colloidal silicon dioxide) has many uses in tablet-making, including as an anti-caking agent, adsorbent, disintegrant, or glidant to allow powder to flow freely when tablets are processed. These compounds appear to be biologically inert. Silicon dioxide is generally recognized as safe by the FDA.[1][2]
Some examples of medications containing Silicon Dioxide
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 7.5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Alprazolam 0.5 mg
- Alprazolam 1 mg
- Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine 20 mg
- Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine 30 mg
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Famotidine 20 mg
- Lortab 10/325 325 mg / 10 mg
- Methocarbamol 750 mg
- Methocarbamol 500 mg
- Methocarbamol 500 mg
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride 5 mg
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Trazodone Hydrochloride 50 mg
References
- [1]Dave RH. Overview of pharmaceutical excipients used in tablets and capsules. Drug Topics (online). Advanstar. 10/24/2008 http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Top+News/Overview-of-pharmaceutical-excipients-used-in-tabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/561047. Accessed 08/19/2011
- FDA’s SCOGS database; Silicon dioxides, Report No. 61, 1979.; ID Code: 14808-60-7; http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=276; accessed August 12, 2011.
Further information
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