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
- Atorvastatin Calcium 40 mg
- Cephalexin Monohydrate 250 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 250 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 200 mg
- Didanosine Delayed Release 200 mg
- Diltzac Diltazem HCl ER 180 mg
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride 20 mg
- Kombiglyze XR metformin hydrochloride extended-release 1000 mg / saxagliptin 2.5 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 25 mg
- Peganone 250 mg
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Q-Pap 325 mg
- Q-Pap Extra Strength 500 mg
- Requip XL 4 mg
- Requip XL 6 mg
- Ropinirole Hydrochloride Extended-Release 6 mg
- Sudogest PE 10 mg
- Treximet 500 mg / 85 mg
- Triglide 50 mg
- Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg
