Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 3, 2020.
What is it?
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 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. Without a disintegrant, tablets may not dissolve appropriately and may effect the amount of active ingredient absorbed, thereby decreasing effectiveness. [1]
Polymers of carboxymethylcellulose sodium are also the active ingredient in many over-the-counter dry-eye or "natural tears" products, such as Refresh Tears or TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops.
According to the FDA Select Committee on GRAS food Substances, carboxymethylcellulose sodium is virtually unabsorbed. Carboxymethylcellulose sodium is generally regarded as safe when used in normal quantities. [2]
Top Medications with this excipient
- Amlodipine Besylate and Olmesartan Medoxomil 5 mg / 20 mg
- Amlodipine Besylate and Olmesartan Medoxomil 10 mg / 20 mg
- Atorvastatin Calcium 40 mg
- Atorvastatin Calcium 80 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 250 mg
- Diltzac diltazem hydrochloride ER 120 mg
- Entecavir 0.5 mg
- Epanova 1 gram
- Escitalopram Oxalate 5 mg (base)
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Kombiglyze XR metformin hydrochloride extended-release 500 mg / saxagliptin 5 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Peganone 250 mg
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Q-Pap 325 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 12 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 8 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- TriAdvance prenatal multivitamins with folic acid 1 mg
- Videx EC 200 MG
References
[1] [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
Further information
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