Crospovidone
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Crospovidone (cross linked polyvinyl N-pyrrolidone, or PVP) is a common, FDA-approved inactive ingredient used in the pharmaceutical industry. Crospovidone is often combined with active ingredients in medications and dietary supplements to allow absorption of the active drug. It is considered a synthetic povidone analog. Chemically, crospovidone is an inert and insoluble white to light yellow free-flowing powder. It has hygroscopic, or water-attracting properties with excellent swelling characteristics. It is this swelling characteristic that makes it useful as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical dosage forms.[1] Crospovidone is not absorbed orally. Oral use of crospovidone is not usually associated with toxicity in normal use as a pharmaceutical excipient. Pulmonary emboli have been reported in autopsies of intravenous drug abusers who have crushed tablets, such as hydromorphone, for injection. The long-term effects of crospovidone in the lung are unknown.[2] Allergic reactions have also been reported with the use of povidone-iodine (Betadine®) as a topical antiseptic.
Some examples of medications containing Crospovidone
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate 325 mg / 5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 5 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg
- Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride 325 mg / 5 mg
- Alprazolam 2 mg
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 875 mg / 125 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 500 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 875 mg
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Meloxicam 15 mg
- Meloxicam 7.5 mg
- Quetiapine Fumarate 50 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
- Ganesan S., Felo J., Saldana M. Embolized Crospovidone (poly[N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone]) in the Lungs of Intravenous Drug Users. Mod Pathol 2003;16(4):286–92
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.