Pregelatinized Corn Starch
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is Pregelatinized Corn Starch?
Starches are typically derived from corn or potato. Starches are used in the pharmaceutical industry for a wide variety of reasons, such as an excipient, a tablet and capsule diluent, a tablet and capsule disintegrant, a glidant, or as binder. Disintegrants enable tablets and capsules to break down into smaller fragments (dissolve) so that the drug can be released for absorption.[1] Starches also absorb water rapidly, allowing tablets to disintegrate appropriately.
Starches are also used in the food manufacturing industry for processing, and as food thickeners or stabilizers. There are many other diverse uses for starches in the manufacturing industry. Pregelatinized starch derives primarily from corn, has been cooked and then dried. Instant puddings, pie fillings, soup mixes, salad dressings, and candy often contain pregelatinized starch.[2]
Pregelatinized starches (dried, cooked starches) are highly digestible. Consumption of excessive quantities of raw starch has resulted in obesity and iron-deficiency anemia in human subjects. However, there is no evidence to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future.[3]
[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] David A Bender. Starch, Pregelatinized. A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved March 19, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-starchpregelatinized.html
[3] FDA’s SCOGS database; Wheat Starch; SCOGS-Report Number: 115; http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=365 Accessed March 19, 2012.
Top Medications Containing Pregelatinized Corn Starch
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 660 mg / 10 mg (Watson Laboratories, Inc.)
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 5 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Acetaminophen and Tramadol Hydrochloride 325 mg / 37.5 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine and Codeine 325mg / 50mg / 40mg / 30mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Aspirin, Butalbital and Caffeine 325 mg / 50 mg / 40 mg (Lannett Company, Inc.)
- Chlorzoxazone 500 mg (Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Furosemide 40 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Furosemide 20 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Ibuprofen 7.5 mg / 200 mg (Watson Laboratories, Inc.)
- Losartan Potassium 50 mg (Torrent Pharmaceuticals)
- Methocarbamol 750 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Methocarbamol 500 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Norco 325 mg / 5 mg (Watson Pharmaceuticals)
- Propafenone Hydrochloride 150 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Ranitidine Hydrochloride 150 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Simvastatin 20 mg (Zydus Pharmaceuticals)
- Simvastatin 40 mg (Zydus Pharmaceuticals)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim DS 800 mg / 160 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Ultracet 325 mg / 37.5 mg (Janssen Pharmaceuticals)
- Ultram 50 mg (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
