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Poloxamer

    Synonyms: Lutrol; Monolan; Pluronic; poloxalkol; poloxamera; polyethylene– propylene glycol copolymer; polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene copolymer; Supronic; Synperonic.

    Description: Poloxamers generally occur as white, waxy, free-flowing prilled granules, or as cast solids. They are practically odorless and tasteless. At room temperature, poloxamer 124 occurs as a colorless liquid.

    Chemical Name: a-Hydro-o-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene)poly(oxypropylene) poly- (oxyethylene) block copolymer

    Dispersing agent; emulsifying agent; solubilizing agent; tablet lubricant; wetting agent.

    • Poloxamers are nonionic polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene copolymers used primarily in pharmaceutical formulations as emulsifying or solubilizing agents.

    • The polyoxyethylene segment is hydrophilic while the polyoxypropylene segment is hydrophobic.

    • All of the poloxamers are chemically similar in composition, differing only in the relative amounts of propylene and ethylene oxides added during manufacture.

    • Their physical and surface-active properties vary over a wide range and a number of different types are commercially available.

    • Poloxamers are used as emulsifying agents in intravenous fat emulsions, and as solubilizing and stabilizing agents to maintain the clarity of elixirs and syrups.

    • Poloxamers may also be used as wetting agents; in ointments, suppository bases, and gels; and as tablet binders and coatings.

    • Poloxamer 188 has also been used as an emulsifying agent for fluorocarbons used as artificial blood substitutes, and in the preparation of solid-dispersion systems.

    • More recently, poloxamers have found use in drug-delivery systems.

    • Therapeutically, poloxamer 188 is administered orally as a wetting agent and stool lubricant in the treatment of constipation; it is usually used in combination with a laxative such as danthron.

    • Poloxamers may also be used therapeutically as wetting agents in eye-drop formulations, in the treatment of kidney stones, and as skin-wound cleansers.

    Depending on the relative concentrations, poloxamer 188 is incompatible with phenols and parabens.

    Poloxamers are used in a variety of oral, parenteral, and topical pharmaceutical formulations, and are generally regarded as nontoxic and nonirritant materials. Poloxamers are not metabolized in the body.

    Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.

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