Sorbitan
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 13, 2025.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Sorbitans are derived from dehydration of sorbitol or sorbose and related compounds in ester combination with fatty acids and with short oligo (ethylene oxide) side chains and an oleate terminus to form detergents and surfactants such as polysorbate 80. Their appearance may vary from an amber-colored oily, viscous liquid, to a light cream color, to tan beads or flakes or a hard, waxy solid with a slight odor They are also used as surfactants or emulsifying agents in the preparation of emulsions, creams, and ointments for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. Sorbitan use in asthma inhalers has been implicated in causing secondary bronchospasms in children.
Some examples of medications containing Sorbitan
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 325 mg / 10 mg / 5 mg
- Advil Liqui-Gels 200 mg
- Advil Migraine 200 mg
- Aleve naproxen sodium 220 mg
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Cold, Mucus & Congestion acetaminophen 250 mg / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10 mg / guaifenesin 200 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Amantadine Hydrochloride 100 mg
- Bisacodyl 5 mg
- Calcitriol 0.25 mcg
- Calcitriol 0.5 mcg
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Docusate Sodium 100 mg
- Docusate Sodium 250 mg
- Gas relief extra strength simethicone 125 mg
- Gas-X Extra Strength (Softgels) simethicone 125 mg
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Loratadine 10 mg
- Multi Symptom NiteTime acetaminophen 325mg / dextromethorphan 15mg / doxylamine 6.25 mg
- Simethicone 125 mg
- Zephrex-D 30 mg
- Zyrtec Liquid Gels 10mg
References
- Drugs.com. Sorbitan. Accessed February 28, 2015 at http://www.drugs.com/dict/sorbitan.html
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.