Basic Information

• English Name: Hypromellose E50.

• Chemical Name: Cellulose - 2 - hydroxypropyl methyl ether.

• CAS Number: 9004 - 65 - 3.

Structure and Properties

• Structure: It is a derivative of cellulose, obtained by introducing hydroxypropyl and methyl groups into the cellulose molecule.

• Appearance: It is a white to off - white fibrous or granular powder, odorless and tasteless.

• Solubility: It is soluble in water, forming a clear or slightly turbid colloidal solution.

• Viscosity Characteristics: The "E50" indicates that the apparent viscosity of its 2% aqueous solution is about 50 mPas at 20 °C.

Source and Preparation

It is usually prepared from cotton linters or wood pulp as raw materials. The raw materials are treated with caustic soda, and then reacted with methyl chloride and propylene oxide successively, followed by purification and pulverization to obtain the product.

Medical Uses

• Tablets and Capsules: It is used as a binder to bond drug powders together for easy tabletting. It can also be used as a release retardant to regulate the release rate of drugs, achieving sustained - release or controlled - release effects.

• Topical Preparations: Such as gels, creams, and ointments, it is used to adjust the consistency and rheological properties of the preparations, making them have good stability and spreadability for easy application.

Safety

Hypromellose is generally considered to be a non - toxic and non - irritating material. However, excessive oral intake may lead to diarrhea.

Storage Conditions

Hypromellose is hygroscopic after drying and should be stored in a cool, dry place in a sealed container. Its solution is stable at pH 3 - 11, but the aqueous solution is susceptible to microbial attack, so preservatives and bacteriostatic agents may be required during storage.