Ethylcellulose (20 MPa.s)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 14, 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 (20 MPa.s)
- Carbamazepine Extended Release 200 mg
- Carbamazepine Extended Release 300 mg
- Carbamazepine Extended Release 300 mg
- Kapspargo Sprinkle metoprolol succinate extended-release 25 mg
- Klor-Con M10 10 mEq
- Klor-Con M15 15 mEq
- Klor-Con M20 20 mEq
- Memantine Hydrochloride Extended-Release 21 mg
- Memantine Hydrochloride Extended-Release 28 mg
- Memantine Hydrochloride Extended-Release 7 mg
- Omeprazole Delayed-Release 40 mg
- Omeprazole Delayed-Release 20 mg
- Omeprazole Delayed-Release 10 mg
- Potassium Chloride Extended-Release 10 mEq (750 mg)
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release 150 mg
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release 150 mg
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release 37.5 mg
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release 75 mg
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended-Release 150 mg
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended-Release 225 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
- 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.