Hypromellose is a highly viscous polymer used in medicine, food, cosmetics, and building materials. It is non-toxic and can control drug delivery, thicken foods, and act as a lubricant. It is also used in eye preparations and can be found over the counter or by prescription.
Hypromellose is a highly viscous polymer with numerous applications. It is used heavily in the medical community and also appears as a thickener in some types of foods. This polymer is considered non-toxic, although it can be flammable in some environments, and is manufactured by a number of companies, some of which specialize in manufacturing for very specific applications.
The full name of this polymer is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; hypromellose is a shortened version of this longer chemical name. Hypromellose’s high viscosity makes it ideal for use in eye preparations designed to address dry eye. Some artificial tears contain hypromellose, and the polymer is also used in some types of eye surgery to keep the eye lubricated. As a lubricant, it can both soothe the eye if it is irritated and create a barrier to protect the eye from further irritation. Products with hypromellose can be found over the counter in some regions and are also available by prescription.
In addition to being used in the eyes, this compound is also used for oral drug delivery in some situations. Hypromellose can control the rate of drug delivery, ensuring that the body is not flooded with a drug, and can act as an inert thickener in oral drugs that will improve consistency without affecting the function of the active pharmaceutical compounds in the drug. Some tablet coatings include the compound and function as a binder for some types of medications.
This compound is also used in foods to thicken, suspend or emulsify ingredients. It is vegetarian, making it an alternative to gelatin in foods that are supposed to be safe for vegetarians. Hypromellose also appears in cosmetics, paints, adhesives and some cleaning products. In building materials, the moisture retaining properties of the compound can be beneficial, although they can also become problematic if the compound is not stored and handled properly, as it can gain weight as it collects water.
In its pure form, this compound is a powder or granule, which can be mixed into an aqueous solution as needed for a particular application. The processing techniques used to make this compound can vary, depending on how it will be used. It is often sold and transported in powder form, with manufacturers using it turning it into an on-site solution if needed. Dry transport reduces transport costs and facilitates handling.
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