Carbomer 974 is a high-viscosity, crosslinked acrylic acid polymer used as a pharmaceutical excipient and functional polymer in a variety of oral, topical and other pharmaceutical formulations. It is valued for its thickening, rheology-modifying, suspending, stabilizing and bioadhesive properties.
Pharmaceutical carbomer grades are used to modify formulation viscosity and flow characteristics and can support the development of gels, creams, suspensions and other dosage forms. Carbomer 974P is identified with the Carbomer Homopolymer Type B category in USP/NF references.
Carbomer 974 is a synthetic, crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer supplied as a fine white powder. Its high-viscosity characteristics make it suitable where strong thickening, suspension and rheology modification are required.
The pharmaceutical excipient grade is commonly associated with Carbomer Homopolymer Type B. Public technical information for Carbopol 974P NF describes it as a white, fluffy powder and reports a viscosity specification of 29,400–39,400 cP at 0.5% concentration at pH 7.5, under the specified test method.
Product Name: Carbomer 974
Excipient Type: Pharmaceutical Excipient
Generic Name: Carbomer
Compendial Category: Carbomer Homopolymer Type B
CAS Number: 9003-01-4*
Appearance: White, fluffy powder
Polymer Type: Crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer
Primary Function: Thickener and rheology modifier
*CAS identity can vary in databases and regulatory records for carbomer materials and related nomenclature. The product-specific specification/COA should be used for the exact material supplied. Lubrizol's pharmaceutical documentation lists Carbomer 974 with CAS 9003-01-4 in its IID material.
Carbomer 974/974P is used as a functional excipient in pharmaceutical formulation development. Published pharmaceutical excipient information identifies 974P for applications including oral formulations, suspensions, bioadhesive formulations, wet granulation and direct-compression/solid-dosage applications.
Potential formulation functions include:
Carbomer polymers are also used in topical and semisolid formulations such as gels, creams and lotions, depending on the specific grade and formulation requirements.
Carbomer 974 pharmaceutical excipient should be evaluated according to the applicable pharmacopeial monograph and the manufacturer's approved specification.
Quality evaluation can include:
Important: Do not enter invented HPLC assay, LOD, heavy-metal or impurity numbers in your CMS. These values should come from your actual product specification/COA. Carbomer is a polymeric excipient, so a conventional API-style "Assay (HPLC)" field may not be the appropriate specification.
Swapnroop provides pharmaceutical excipient products for formulation and pharmaceutical manufacturing applications. Carbomer 974 can be positioned for customers looking for a pharmaceutical-grade carbomer excipient for viscosity modification, thickening, suspension stabilization and rheology control.
Product availability, grade, compendial compliance, packaging and documentation should be confirmed against the specific batch and applicable product specification.
Carbomer excipient should be stored in its original, tightly closed packaging under the storage conditions specified by the manufacturer.
Recommended general practices include:
Depending on the product and applicable supply requirements, documentation may include:
Carbomer 974 is a functional pharmaceutical excipient suitable for formulations requiring viscosity modification, rheology control and suspension or gel-forming properties. Swapnroop focuses on pharmaceutical-grade excipient products with product documentation and quality information appropriate for pharmaceutical formulation requirements.
For exact specifications, regulatory status, grade and batch documentation, customers should refer to the applicable product specification and COA.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |