Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a widely used excipient in pharmaceutical formulation. It is a water-soluble polysaccharide derived from cellulose, which is composed of glucose units linked together by glycosidic bonds. CMC is a non-ionic, tasteless, odorless, and white powder that is insoluble in most organic solvents. It is used in pharmaceutical formulations to improve the stability, bioavailability, and safety of drugs.
CMC is used in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, and ointments. It is used as a binder, disintegrant, suspending agent, emulsifying agent, lubricant, and stabilizer. It is also used to increase the viscosity of formulations and to improve the flow properties of powders.
CMC is used in tablets and capsules to improve the flow properties of the powder, to increase the compressibility of the powder, and to improve the disintegration and dissolution of the tablet or capsule. It is also used as a binder to hold the tablet or capsule together. CMC is used in suspensions to improve the stability of the suspension and to increase the viscosity of the suspension. It is also used as an emulsifying agent to improve the stability of emulsions.
CMC is used in ointments to improve the stability of the ointment and to increase the viscosity of the ointment. It is also used as a lubricant to reduce the friction between the ointment and the skin.
CMC is generally safe and non-toxic. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is also approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in pharmaceutical formulations.
CMC is an important excipient in pharmaceutical formulations. It is used to improve the stability, bioavailability, and safety of drugs. It is generally safe and non-toxic and is approved by the FDA and EMA for use in pharmaceutical formulations.