Polycarbophil

Synonyms: Noveon AA-1.

Description: Adsorbent; bioadhesive material; controlled-release agent; emulsifying agent; suspending agent; tablet binder; thickening agent.

Chemical Name: Polycarbophil

Adsorbent; bioadhesive material; controlled-release agent; emulsifying agent; suspending agent; tablet binder; thickening agent.

• Conventionally, polycarbophil is used as a thickening agent at very low concentrations (less than 1%) to produce a wide range of viscosities and flow properties in topical lotions, creams, and gels, in oral suspensions, and in transdermal gel reservoirs.

• It is also used as an emulsifying agent in topical oil-in-water systems.

• Polycarbophil is an excellent bioadhesive in buccal, ophthalmic, intestinal, nasal, vaginal, and rectal applications.

• Buccal tablets prepared using polycarbophil have shown high bioadhesive force and prolonged residence time, and proved to be nonirritative in in vivo trials with human buccal mucosa.

• Polycarbophil has been used in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose to develop a bilayered buccal bioadhesive film formulation of nicotine hydrogen tartrate for smoking cessation therapy.

• It is also useful in designing controlled-release formulations and for drugs that undergo first-pass metabolism.

• Polycarbophil buccoadhesive disks have also been developed in formulations increasing the bioavailability and transmucosal absorption of poorly watersoluble drugs.

• Sublingual tablets of buprenorphine formulated using polycarbophil have shown superior mucoadhesive strength when compared to those using carbomer.

• Polycarbophil gels have been used for delivering bioactive substances for local application to gingival, oropharyngeal and periodontal areas, and also for ocular drug delivery.

• P Polycarbophil 509 The nasal retention of plasmid DNA is highly prolonged with the use of polycarbophil as the gelling agent.

• Polycarbophil has also been used to design an insulin liquid suppository for rectal application.

• A vaginal gel of econazole has shown improved therapeutic benefit on topical application in vaginal candidiasis.

• An intravaginal administration of polycarbophil gel alone and with carbomer is associated with improved signs of bacterial vaginosis.

• Polycarbophil with carboxymethylcellulose sodium are the polymers of choice for the formulation of an acid-buffering bioadhesive vaginal tablet of clotrimazole and metronidazole.

• Mucoadhesive vaginal vaccine delivery systems using polycarbophil have proved to be effective in the induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses

Heat may be generated if polycarbophil comes into contact with strong basic materials such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or strongly basic amines. Polycarbophil polymers are not compatible with cationic polymers, strong acids, and high levels of electrolytes, as electrolytes tend to reduce the viscosity of polycarbophil-based gels.

Polycarbophil polymers have a long history of safe and effective use in topical gels, creams, lotions, and ointments. They have been shown to have extremely low irritancy properties and are nonsensitizing with repeated usage. The use of these polymers is supported by extensive toxicological studies.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Excessive dust generation should be minimized to avoid the risk of explosion (lowest explosive concentration is 130 g/m3 ). Polycarbophil dust is an irritant to eyes, mucous membranes, and the respiratory tract. Powder/dust eye irritation is a physical, not a chemical effect. Solid particles on the eye (powder/dust) may cause pain and be accompanied by irritation

Calcium polycarbophil; carbomer.