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
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Top Medications with this excipient
- Cephalexin Monohydrate 250 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 200 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 200 mg
- Diltzac Diltazem HCl ER 180 mg
- Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab 250 mg
- Escitalopram Oxalate 20 mg (base)
- Ibuprofen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 400 mg / 5 mg
- Indomethacin Extended Release 75 mg
- Kombiglyze XR metformin hydrochloride extended-release 1000 mg / saxagliptin 2.5 mg
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Q-Pap 325 mg
- Q-Pap Extra Strength 500 mg
- Requip XL 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 2 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 8 mg
- Treximet 500 mg / 85 mg
- Triglide 50 mg
- Trovan 100 MG
- Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg
