Calcium Alginate

Synonyms:  Alginato calcico; alginic acid, calcium salt; algin; CA33; calc algin; calcium polymannuronate; Calginate; E404; Kaltostat.

Description:  Calcium alginate is an odorless or almost odorless, tasteless, white to pale yellowish-brown powder or fibers.

Chemical Name: Calcium alginate

Emulsifying agent; stabilizing agent; tablet disintegrant; thickening
agent

• In pharmaceutical formulations, calcium alginate and calciumsodium alginate have been used as tablet disintegrants.

• The use of a high concentration (10%) of calcium-sodium alginate has been reported to cause slight speckling of tablets.

• A range of different types of delivery systems intended for oral administration have been investigated. These exploit the gelling properties of calcium alginate.

• Calcium alginate beads have been used to prepare floating dosage systems containing amoxicillin, furosemide, meloxicam, and barium sulfate, and as a means of providing a sustained or controlled-release action for sulindac, diclofenac, tiaramide, insulin, and ampicillin.

• The effect of citric acid in prolonging the gastric retention of calcium alginate floating dosage forms has been reported.

• C Calcium Alginate 83 Impregnating meloxicam in calcium alginate beads may reduce the risk of ulceration and mucosal inflammation following oral adminstration.

• The use of calcium alginate beads, reinforced with chitosan, has been shown to slow the release of verapamil, and may be useful for the controlled release of protein drugs to the gastrointestinal tract.

• The bioadhesive properties, swelling and drug release of calcium alginate beads have also been investigated

The antimicrobial activity of butylparaben is considerably reduced in the presence of nonionic surfactants as a result of micellization. Absorption of butylparaben by plastics has not been reported but appears probable given the behavior of other parabens. Some pigments, e.g. ultramarine blue and yellow iron oxide, absorb butylparaben and thus reduce its preservative properties.

Butylparaben and other parabens are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics and oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations. Systemically, no adverse reactions to parabens have been reported, although they have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions generally appearing as contact dematitis. Immediate reactions with urticaria and bronchospasm have occurred rarely. 

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Butylparaben may be irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and should be handled in a well-ventilated environment. Eye protection, gloves, and a dust mask or respirator are recommended

Butylparaben sodium; ethylparaben; methylparaben; propylparaben.