Cellulose Acetate

Synonyms:  Acetic acid, cellulose ester; acetyl cellulose; cellulose diacetate; cellulose triacetate; cellulosi acetas.

Description: Cellulose acetate occurs as a hygroscopic white to off-white, freeflowing powder, pellet, or flake. It is tasteless and odorless, or may have a slight odor of acetic acid

Chemical Name: Cellulose acetate 
Cellulose diacetate 
Cellulose triacetate 

Coating agent; extended-release agent; tablet and capsule diluent.

• Cellulose acetate is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations both in sustained-release applications and for taste masking.

• Cellulose acetate is used as a semipermeable coating on tablets, especially on osmotic pump-type tablets and implants.

• This allows for controlled, extended release of actives.

• Cellulose acetate films, in conjunction with other materials, also offer sustained release without the necessity of drilling a hole in the coating as is typical with osmotic pump systems.

• Cellulose acetate and other cellulose esters have also been used to form drug-loaded microparticles with controlled-release characteristics.

• Cellulose acetate films are used in transdermal drug delivery systems and also as film coatings on tablets or granules for taste masking. For example, acetaminophen granules have been coated with a cellulose acetate-based coating before being processed to provide chewable tablets.

• Extended-release tablets can also be formulated with cellulose acetate as a directly compressible matrix former.

• The release profile can be modified by changing the ratio of active to cellulose acetate and by incorporation of plasticizer, but was shown to be insensitive to cellulose acetate molecular weight and particle size distribution.

• Therapeutically, cellulose acetate has been used to treat cerebral aneurysms, and also for spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas

Cellulose acetate is incompatible with strongly acidic or alkaline substances. Cellulose acetate is compatible with the following plasticizers: diethyl phthalate, polyethylene glycol, triacetin, and triethyl citrate.

Cellulose acetate is widely used in oral pharmaceutical products and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Dust may be irritant to the eyes and eye protection should be worn. Like most organic materials in powder form, these materials are capable of creating dust explosions. Cellulose acetate is combustible.

Cellulose acetate phthalate.