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Hypromellose

Hypromellose, also known as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), is a widely used pharmaceutical active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) belonging to the subcategory of pharmaceutical excipients. It is a non-ionic cellulose ether derived from natural polymer cellulose, making it a safe and biocompatible compound for pharmaceutical applications.

Hypromellose is primarily utilized in the pharmaceutical industry as a thickening agent, binder, film former, and sustained-release matrix material. It is commonly employed in the formulation of oral solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. Due to its hydrophilic nature, hypromellose aids in enhancing the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.

One of the key advantages of hypromellose is its ability to modify the drug release profile. By adjusting the viscosity and concentration of hypromellose in the formulation, pharmaceutical manufacturers can achieve controlled and extended drug release, ensuring optimal therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. This makes hypromellose a preferred choice for the development of sustained-release and controlled-release dosage forms.

In addition, hypromellose offers excellent film-forming properties, making it suitable for coating tablets to improve their appearance, protect the active ingredient from degradation, and facilitate ease of swallowing. It also acts as a binder, imparting cohesive properties to powdered drug formulations, allowing for the production of compressed tablets with adequate hardness and mechanical strength.

Overall, hypromellose is a versatile and valuable API subcategory in the pharmaceutical industry, providing numerous benefits such as enhanced drug solubility, controlled release, and improved formulation characteristics for various oral dosage forms.