Croscarmellose Sodium
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is Croscarmellose Sodium?
Croscarmellose sodium, or sodium CMC, is a cross-linked polymer of carboxymethylcellulose sodium. It appears as white, fibrous, free-flowing powder, and is used commonly as an FDA-approved disintegrant in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Disintegrants facilitate the breakup of a tablet in the intestinal tract after oral administration. Cross-linking allows enhanced bioavailability of the drug through superior drug dissolution. Without a disintegrant, tablets may not dissolve appropriately and may effect the amount of active ingredient absorbed, thereby decreasing effectiveness.[1]
According to the FDA Select Committee on GRAS food substances, carboxymethylcellulose sodium is virtually unabsorbed. Caroxymethylcellulose sodium is generally regarded as safe when used in normal quantities.[2]
[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
[2] FDA’s SCOGS database; corn starch, Report No. 977050-51-3, 1979.; ID Code: 72; http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=72 Accessed October 17, 2011
Top Medications Containing Croscarmellose Sodium
- Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate 300 mg / 30 mg (Teva Pharmaceuticals USA)
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 500 mg / 10 mg (Vintage Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 7.5 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 5 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Acetaminophen, Butalbital, and Caffeine 325 mg / 50 mg / 40 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Alprazolam 1 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg (Watson Pharmaceuticals)
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 5 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg (Amneal Pharmaceuticals)
- Endocet 325 mg / 10 mg (Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Lexapro 10 mg (Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Naproxen 500 mg (Teva Pharmaceuticals USA)
- Naproxen 500 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Nucynta tapentadol 50 mg (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Nucynta tapentadol 75 mg (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Nucynta tapentadol 100 mg (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Roxicet 325 mg / 5 mg (Roxane Laboratories, Inc.)
- Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
