Chemical Properties |
soluble in cold water, flocculates at elevated temperatures |
Chemical Properties |
A white, yellowish-white or grayish-white powder or granules, hygroscopic after drying. |
Uses |
Water retention aid, thickening agent, protective colloid, suspending agent, binder and stabilizer. |
Pharmaceutical Applications |
Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is used as an excipient in a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including oral tablets and suspensions, and topical gel preparations. It has similar properties to methylcellulose, but the hydroxyethyl groups make it more readily soluble in water and solutions are more tolerant of salts and have a higher coagulation temperature. |
Safety |
Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is used as an excipient in various oral and topical pharmaceutical preparations, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material. |
storage |
Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is hygroscopic and should therefore be stored under dry conditions away from heat. |
Regulatory Status |
GRAS listed. Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in Europe (oral suspensions, tablets, and topical preparations). |