Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
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]
[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
Top Medications with this excipient
- Atorvastatin Calcium 10 mg
- Atorvastatin Calcium 20 mg
- Banzel 200 mg
- Cephalexin Monohydrate 500 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 250 mg
- Diltzac Diltazem HCl ER 300 mg
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride 20 mg
- Ibuprofen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 400 mg / 5 mg
- Indomethacin Extended Release 75 mg
- Kombiglyze XR metformin hydrochloride extended-release 500 mg / saxagliptin 5 mg
- Peganone 250 mg
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Q-Pap 325 mg
- Q-Pap Extra Strength 500 mg
- Requip XL 2 mg
- Requip XL 4 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 8 mg
- Triglide 160 mg
- Videx EC 250 mg
