colored, fibrous or granular powder.

Hypromellose is used as a coating agent, film-former, rate-

controlling polymer, stabilizing agent, suspending agent, tablet binder, and viscosity-increasing
agent. It is widely used in oral and topical formulations. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution is in
the range of 5.5 to 8.0. Hypromellose is soluble in cold water, forming a viscous colloidal
solution, and it is practically insoluble in alcohol. Hypromellose is available in a wide range of
viscosity types. The Methocel E4M product discussed here has a nominal viscosity of 4,000
mPa.s for a 2% w/v aqueous solution at 20°C. It is listed as being incompatible with some
oxidizing agents.3

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Pharmacopeia 38/National Formulary 33. Rockville, MD: U.S. Pharmacopeial

Convention, Inc; 2014:559-611,1951,4381-4382,6808-6810.
2. Maximilien JS. Polyethylene oxide. In: Rowe RC, Sheskey PJ, Cook WG, Fenton MF,
eds. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. 7th ed. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Press;
2012:591-593.
3. Rogers TL. Hypromellose. In: Rowe RC, Sheskey PJ, Cook WG, Fenton MF, eds. Handbook
of Pharmaceutical Excipients. 7th ed. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Press; 2012:373-376.

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