Hypromellose
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Hypromellose, also commonly known as hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) is a coating agent and film-former used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry.[1] It has also been used as a rate-controlling polymer for sustained-release dose forms.
As a powder, hypromellose is off-white to beige and may be in granules. Hypromellose is considered an inert ingredient. It has a high viscosity and is often used in ophthalmic preparations as artificial tears for dry eyes.[2] In the US, it is available over-the-counter (OTC) in such products as Isopto Tears and Nature’s Tears.
[1] [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] Innovate Us. What is Hypromellose? http://www.innovateus.net/health/what-hypromellose. Accessed 08/19/2011
Top Medications with this excipient
- Aspirin 325 mg (LNK International)
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 5 mg (Pack Pharmaceuticals, LLC)
- Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release 420 mg (Inwood Laboratories Inc)
- Gabapentin 600 mg (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.)
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 50 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Ibuprofen 200 mg (L.N.K. International, Inc.)
- Inderal LA 60 mg (Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories)
- Levitra 20 mg (Schering Plough Corporation)
- Metformin Hydrochloride ER 750 mg (Major Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release 500 mg (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.)
- Nabumetone 500 mg (Glenmark Generics Inc.)
- Paroxetine Hydrochloride 20 mg (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.)
- Promethazine HCl 12.5 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Promethazine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Ranitidine Hydrochloride 300 mg (Wockhardt USA)
- Trandolapril 1 mg (Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
- Tylenol Arthritis Pain 650 mg (McNeil Consumer)
