Hypromelloses
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is Hypromelloses?
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. Hypromelloses refers to the family of hypromellose polymer agents.
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 Hypromelloses
- Gabapentin 600 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Gabapentin 800 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Ibuprofen 200 mg (Major Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Metoprolol Tartrate 50 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Omeprazole 20 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Omeprazole Delayed Release 20 mg (Kremers Urban)
- OxyContin 40 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 20 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 80 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 80 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 10 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 20 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 60 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 30 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 40 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- OxyContin 10 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- Seroquel 100 mg (AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals)
- Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg (Zydus Pharmaceuticals)
- Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg (Teva Pharmaceuticals USA)
- Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
