Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 3, 2021.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
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
- Banzel 200 mg
- Banzel 400 mg
- Cephalexin Monohydrate 750 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 125 mg
- Diltzac diltazem hydrochloride ER 120 mg
- Entecavir 1 mg
- Entecavir 0.5 mg
- Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab 250 mg
- Escitalopram Oxalate 10 mg (base)
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride 20 mg
- Glucophage XR 750 mg
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Indomethacin Extended Release 75 mg
- Metaxalone 800 mg
- Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release 750 mg
- Peganone 250 mg
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 2 mg
- TriAdvance prenatal multivitamins with folic acid 1 mg
References
- [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
- 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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