Sorbitol
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is Sorbitol?
Sorbitol (C6H14O6) is a sugar alcohol (polyol) used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry as a sweetener or humectant (for protection against loss of moisture content). It is produced by hydrogenation of glucose and is available in liquid and crystalline form. It also occurs naturally in many fresh fruits and berries. Sorbitol is also found commonly in "sugar-free" chewing gum, and may be used to sweeten pharmaceutical dosage forms such as syrups or chewable tablets.
Excessive consumption of sorbitol may lead to a laxative effect, but the small amount used in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes would not normally pose this risk.
Sorbitol is about two-thirds as sweet as glucose. It has a lower calorie content than glucose and may be used in diabetic foods. Sorbitol has roughly 2.6 calories per gram of bulk product. Sorbitol in normal quantities is a safe food product for consumption, and is listed in the FDA’s Generally Regarded as Safe GRAS listing. [1] [2]
[1] Polyols Information Source. Facts about polyols. Sorbitol. Accessed October 24, 2011. http://www.polyol.org/index.html
[2] FDA’s SCOGS database; corn starch, Report No. 9, 1979.; ID Code: 50-70-4; http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafeGRAS/GRASSubstancesSCOGSDatabase/ucm260079.htmAccessed October 24, 2011
Top Medications Containing Sorbitol
- Alprazolam (orally disintegrating) 2 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Amitiza 24 mcg (Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.)
- Amitiza 8 mcg (Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.)
- Benzonatate 100 mg (Zydus Pharmaceuticals)
- Benzonatate 200 mg (Zydus Pharmaceuticals)
- Benzphetamine Hydrochloride 50 mg (Boca Pharmacal, Inc.)
- Clonazepam (Dispersible) 1 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Clonazepam (Dispersible) 2 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Clonazepam (Dispersible) 0.25 mg (Par Pharmaceutical Inc.)
- Colace 100 mg (Purdue Pharma LP)
- Didrex 50 mg (Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group)
- Doc-Q-Lace docusate 100 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Hyoscyamine Sulfate (Sublingual) 0.125 mg (County Line Pharmaceuticals, LLC)
- Lithium Carbonate Extended Release 300 mg (Roxane Laboratories, Inc.)
- Lithium Carbonate Extended Release 300 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Lomotil 0.025 mg / 2.5 mg (Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group)
- Micardis 40 mg (Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Ondansetron Hydrochloride (Orally Disintegrating) 4 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Ondansetron Hydrochloride (Orally Disintegrating) 8 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Zipsor diclofenac potassium 25 mg (Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
