Ethylcellulose (10 MPa.s)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 7, 2025.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
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]
Some examples of medications containing Ethylcellulose (10 MPa.s)
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 500 mg / 125 mg
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 875 mg / 125 mg
- Cartia XT 180 mg
- Cartia XT 120 mg
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release 18 mg
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release 36 mg
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended-Release 54 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 200 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 100 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 100 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 25 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 25 mg
- Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release 20 mEq (1500 mg)
- Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release 80 mg
- Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release 60 mg
- Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release 120 mg
- Taztia XT 240 mg
- Ziprasidone Hydrochloride 20 mg
References
- 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
- 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
- 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.