Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) has been widely used in pharmaceutical industry as thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, film-forming agent, suspension agent etc. It is especially popular in pharmaceutical tablets. It is easily soluble in water and forms a transparent colloidal solution. There are also various viscosity grades that can meet different requirements of the drug. It is also stable in acidic environment and salt-containing systems, which makes it an ideal material for tablet film-forming agent. Based on the characteristics of CMC, the core roles of CMC in tablets are as below:
1. Strong Bonding Agent
CMC binds the powdered drug components together to ensure the formation of the pill and maintain its structural integrity.
2. Disintegrant
CMC helps the pill disintegrate rapidly in the body, promoting the release and absorption of the drug.
3. Film Forming Agent
CMC is used for the film coating of the pill, improving the appearance, masking the bitterness, and controlling the release rate.
4. Collaboration with MCC
CMC is used in combination with Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) to enhance the binding force, stability, and drug delivery effect of the pill.
CMC is physiologically harmless. Study shows it has extremely low acute toxicity with LC50 (oral in rabbits) > 27 g/kg, so it is classified as practically non-toxic. CMC has also obtained multiple authoritative certifications in the pharmaceutical and food sectors:
1. FDA Certification
CMC has been recognized as “Generally Recognized as Safe” substance, and have undergone extensive safety evaluations.
2. Pharmacopoeia Inclusion
CMC complies with international standards including USP (United States Pharmacopeia), EP (European Pharmacopoeia), and BP (British Pharmacopoeia).
3. Chinese National Standards
CMC is included in national food safety standards and pharmacopoeial standards for pharmaceutical grade CMC.
If you are interested in CMC used in pharmaceutical industry, please feel free to contact SINOCMC.
SINOCMC TEAM