4842. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Nomenclature

CAS number: 9004-65-3
Cellulose 2-hydroxypropyl methyl ether; hypromellose; HPMC; Artelac (Mann); Benecel MP (Hercules); GenTeal (Novartis); Gonak (Akorn); Goniosol (Novartis); Methocel (E, F, J, K) (Dow); Ocucoat (Bausch & Lomb).

Description and references

Derivative of methylcellulose, q.v., that also contains 3-12% hydroxypropyl substitution. Prepn: A. B. Savage, US 2949452 (1960 to Dow). Review of chemistry, physical properties and use: idem, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology vol. 3 (Interscience, New York, 1965); pp 496-511; G. K. Greminger, A. B. Savage, Industrial Gums, R. L. Whistler, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 1973) pp 619-647. Clinical efficacy as ocular lubricant in Sjogren's syndrome: I. Toda et al., Cornea 15, 120 (1996); in contact lens solutions: P. A. Simmons et al., CLAO J. 27, 192 (2001). Review of production and uses in foods: P. de Mariscal, D. A. Bell in Handbook of Fat Replacers, S. Roller, S. A. Jones, Eds. (CRC Press, Boca Raton FL, 1996) pp 145-159. Review of drug release from HPMC-based pharmaceutical systems: J. Siepmann, N. A. Peppas, Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 48, 139-157 (2001).

Properties

Powder. Dissolves slowly in cold water. Insol in hot water. Sol in most polar organics. Solns have a wide range of viscosity (400-60,000 mPa.s).

Use

As emulsifier, film former, protective colloid, stabilizer, suspending agent, or thickener in foods. Pharmaceutic aid (suspending agent; tablet excipient; demulcent; viscosity increasing agent); hydrophilic carrier in drug delivery systems. In adhesives, asphalt emulsions, caulking compounds, tile mortars, plastic mixes, cements, paints.

Therapeutic Category

Ocular lubricant.