Cellulose acetate

Functional Category

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

Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation or Technology

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(9,10) 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.

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.