Ethylcellulose (10 MPa.s)
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 7, 2020.
What is it?
Ethylcellulose is a free-flowing, white to light tan powder used in the pharmaceutical and food manufacturing industries. It is prepared from wood pulp or cotton by treatment with alkali and ethylation of the alkali cellulose with ethyl chloride. Ethylcellulose is used in pharmaceutical industry as a coating agent, flavoring fixative, tablet binder and filler, and as a viscosity-increasing agent. Ethyl cellulose is also used in the food industry as an emulsifier.[1] [2]
There is very limited data detailing possible side effects of ethylcellulose; however it is included in the FDA generally regarded as safe (GRAS) Database of Substances (SCOGS) Reviews.[3]
Top Medications with this excipient
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 875 mg / 125 mg
- Amrix 15 mg
- Amrix 30 mg
- Darifenacin Hydrobromide Extended-Release 15 mg
- Galantamine Hydrobromide Extended Release 16 mg
- InnoPran XL 120 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 25 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 100 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 200 mg
- Metronidazole 250 mg
- Minolira 135 mg
- Minolira 105 mg
- Potassium Chloride Extended Release 8 mEq (600mg)
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release 10 mEq (750 mg)
- Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release 120 mg
- Taztia XT 120 mg
- Taztia XT 300 mg
- Ursodiol 500 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
[2] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States. Prepared at the 26th JECFA (1982), published in FNP 25 ( 1982) and FNP. 52 (1992). Accessed March 31, 2012. Ethylcellulose. http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/jecfa-additives/specs/Monograph1/Additive-178.pdf
[3] FDA’s SCOGS database; Ethylcellulose; SCOGS-Report Number: 25; http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=365 Accessed March 31, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=119
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.