Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium, also known as Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Sodium CMC or Carmellose Sodium, is a water-soluble cellulose derivative used as a functional pharmaceutical excipient. It is the sodium salt of the carboxymethyl ether of cellulose and is valued for its thickening, binding, suspending, stabilizing and rheology-modifying properties. USP identifies Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium as an excipient material with CAS number 9004-32-4.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium is an anionic, water-soluble cellulose ether. It is supplied as a white to off-white powder or granules and readily disperses in water to form colloidal solutions. Its performance varies according to viscosity grade, molecular weight, degree of substitution, concentration and formulation conditions.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium is used as a functional excipient in pharmaceutical formulations where viscosity modification, thickening, suspension stabilization, binding and rheological control are required.
Depending on the grade, it can be used in oral liquid formulations, suspensions and other pharmaceutical dosage forms. Pharmaceutical CMC grades are available with different viscosity characteristics to meet formulation-specific requirements.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium can provide viscosity development and rheological modification in aqueous systems. It can function as a thickener, binder, stabilizer and suspending agent.
Its performance is influenced by concentration, molecular weight, degree of substitution, pH, electrolytes and processing conditions. Different commercial grades are therefore selected according to the required viscosity and formulation performance.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium is a cellulose derivative produced by introducing carboxymethyl groups into cellulose and converting the resulting material to its sodium salt. It is an excipient rather than an active pharmaceutical ingredient.
The USP monograph defines Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium as the sodium salt of a polycarboxymethyl ether of cellulose and specifies 6.5%–9.5% sodium on the dried basis.
The commonly referenced CAS number is 9004-32-4. The material is also known as Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Sodium CMC and Carmellose Sodium depending on applicable nomenclature.
Quality evaluation of pharmaceutical Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium can include identification, sodium content, viscosity, pH, loss on drying, degree of substitution, purity and other applicable pharmacopeial or product-specific tests.
The exact acceptance criteria should be taken from the approved specification and Certificate of Analysis for the particular grade supplied.
Swapnroop supports pharmaceutical customers with specification-focused pharmaceutical excipient products for formulation and manufacturing applications. Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium can be supplied for applications requiring viscosity modification, thickening, binding, suspension stabilization and rheological control.
The specific viscosity grade, pharmacopeial compliance, documentation, packaging and regulatory status should be confirmed according to the material supplied.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium should be stored in tightly closed original packaging and protected from moisture, contamination and unsuitable environmental conditions.
Storage temperature, shelf life and handling requirements should be followed according to the applicable manufacturer's product documentation.
Depending on the supplied grade and customer requirements, documentation may include Certificate of Analysis, Safety Data Sheet, Technical Data Sheet, product specification and applicable pharmacopeial or regulatory documentation.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium is suitable for pharmaceutical formulations requiring viscosity modification, thickening, binding, suspension stabilization and rheology control.
Swapnroop supports pharmaceutical customers with specification-focused pharmaceutical excipient supply, quality documentation and technical support for formulation and manufacturing requirements.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline powder |