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
- Banzel 200 mg
- Banzel 400 mg
- Cephalexin Monohydrate 500 mg
- Diltzac diltazem hydrochloride ER 120 mg
- Diltzac diltazem hydrochloride ER 240 mg
- Glucophage XR 500 mg
- Hydroxyurea 500 mg
- Kombiglyze XR metformin hydrochloride extended-release 500 mg / saxagliptin 5 mg
- Nolvadex 20 MG
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Q-Pap 325 mg
- Q-Pap Extra Strength 500 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 8 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 4 mg
- Triglide 160 mg
- Trovan 200 MG
- Videx EC 250 mg
