Ethylcellulose (100 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 (100 MPa.s)
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (XL) 150 mg
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (XL) 300 mg
- Carbamazepine (chewable) 100 mg
- Clarinex-D 24 Hour 5 mg / 240 mg
- Effexor XR 37.5 mg
- Effexor XR 75 mg
- Effexor XR 150 mg
- Etodolac Extended-Release 600 mg
- Etodolac Extended-Release 400 mg
- Etodolac Extended-Release 500 mg
- Lamictal ODT 25 mg
- Lamictal ODT 100 mg
- Lamictal ODT 200 mg
- Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release 500 mg
- Potassium Chloride Extended Release 10 mEq (750mg)
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release 20 mEq (1500 mg)
- Prenatal Plus Prenatal Vit 27 mg Fe Fumarate 1 mg
- Quetiapine Fumarate Extended-Release 50 mg
- Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended Release 100 mg
- Venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release 37.5 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.