- Home
- Poloxamer
Poloxamer
Synonyms
poloxamera; polyethylene–propylene glycol copolymer; polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene copolymerskin-wound cleansers.
Functional :Dispersing agent; emulsifying agent; solubilizing agent; tablet lubricant; wetting agent.
Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation or Technology
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.
Poloxamer 338 and 407 are used in solutions for contact lens care
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.