Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?
Hypromellose, also commonly known as hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) is a coating agent and film-former used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry.[1] It has also been used as a rate-controlling polymer for sustained-release dose forms.
As a powder, hypromellose is off-white to beige and may be in granules. Hypromellose is considered an inert ingredient. It has a high viscosity and is often used in ophthalmic preparations as artificial tears for dry eyes.[2] In the US, it is available over-the-counter (OTC) in such products as Isopto Tears and Nature’s Tears.
[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] Innovate Us. What is Hypromellose? http://www.innovateus.net/health/what-hypromellose. Accessed 08/19/2011
Top Medications Containing Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
- Adderall XR 10 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Adderall XR 25 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Adderall XR 15 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Adderall XR 30 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Adderall XR 5 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Adderall XR 20 mg (Shire US Inc.)
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene 25 mg / 37.5 mg (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene 50 mg / 75 mg (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate 200 mg (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Indomethacin 50 mg (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Metoprolol Tartrate 50 mg (Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories)
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride Extended Release 40 mg (Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Soma compound with Codeine 325 mg / 200 mg / 16 mg (MedPointe Healthcare Inc.)
- Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg (Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.)
- Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg (Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals)
- TROVAN 200 MG (Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group)
- Voltaren 75 mg (Novartis Pharmaceuticals)
- Zanaflex 6 mg (Acorda Therapeutics Inc.)
- Zanaflex 4 mg (Acorda Therapeutics Inc.)
- Zanaflex 2 mg (Acorda Therapeutics Inc.)
