Triturates

Triturate, in pharmacology and related fields, refers to a substance produced by grinding a material to a fine powder. In pharmacy, a triturate is formed by rubbing or grinding a drug with a suitable diluent or excipient in a mortar and pestle or a mechanical grinder until a uniform particle size is achieved. The process may involve levigation (grinding with a liquid to aid smoothness) or wet grinding, and often results in a powder with a defined weight-to-volume ratio for accurate dosing. The resulting triturate is used to facilitate dispersion, enhance dissolution, or enable precise compounding where the active ingredient is poorly soluble or highly potent.

Common diluents include lactose, starch, or microcrystalline cellulose; the choice depends on stability, flow, and compatibility. In pharmaceutical compounding, the triturate is sometimes wetted or blended with other excipients and then incorporated into dosage forms such as capsules or tablets. In homeopathy, triturations are a specific preparatory step in which a substance is ground with a diluent (often lactose) to form a 1X, 3X, etc. potency, yielding a homogeneous powder or paste used to prepare subsequent dilutions. The term also appears in analytical chemistry and materials science to describe finely ground samples. Safety and labeling requirements apply to triturates, especially for potent or toxic substances, and handling should follow relevant regulatory guidelines.