Which of the following best describes an inactive ingredient?

An inactive ingredient is often referred to as an excipient and serves several essential functions in pharmaceuticals. Option B correctly identifies that inactive ingredients can provide flavor or color to a medication. These ingredients are crucial for improving the palatability and aesthetic appeal of the drug form, especially for formulations intended for children or those who may have difficulty swallowing pills.

Inactive ingredients do not contribute to the therapeutic effects of the medication, which is why the focus is on their supportive role in formulation rather than pharmacological activity. Therefore, their purpose is to enhance user experience rather than modify the therapeutic efficacy directly.

In contrast, other options indicate roles that do not accurately describe inactive ingredients. For instance, enhancing therapeutic effects or having therapeutic properties would imply that these ingredients directly participate in the efficacy of the drug, which they do not. Additionally, reducing drug absorption is not a characteristic of inactive ingredients, as they are typically included to help with the drug's delivery and stability rather than impeding absorption. Thus, the emphasis on flavor or color underscores the role of inactive ingredients in making medications user-friendly without affecting their active therapeutic qualities.