Hypromellose (HPMC) is a cellulose derivative that has been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to its good functional properties and biocompatibility. Its main application areas include tablet binders, disintegrants, coating materials, sustained-release agents, and the preparation of liquid drugs and gels.

1. Binders

In tablet manufacturing, HPMC as a binder can enhance the binding force of drug particles, enabling them to form stable tablets during tableting. HPMC binders have the following advantages:
Enhance mechanical strength: The viscous network formed by HPMC in the tablet helps to improve the mechanical strength of the tablet and reduce the risk of fragmentation and disintegration.
Improve uniformity: Due to its good solubility in water, HPMC can be evenly distributed on the surface of the particles to ensure consistent drug content in each tablet.
Stability: HPMC shows good stability under different temperature and humidity conditions, and can maintain the tablet structure while being less susceptible to environmental influences.

2. Disintegrants

The function of disintegrants is to make tablets disintegrate quickly after contact with liquid to release drug ingredients. HPMC can effectively promote tablet disintegration due to its swelling properties:
Hydration swelling: When HPMC comes into contact with water, it will quickly absorb water and swell, causing the tablet structure to rupture, thereby releasing drug ingredients.
Adjusting disintegration time: By adjusting the viscosity of HPMC, the disintegration time of tablets can be accurately controlled to meet the release requirements of different drugs.

3. Coating materials

HPMC plays an important role in tablet coating. Its excellent film-forming ability and protective effect on drugs make it an ideal coating material:
Isolation effect: HPMC coating can effectively isolate the active ingredients in the tablet from the external environment to prevent deliquescence, oxidation and photolysis.
Improving appearance: HPMC coating can provide a smooth outer surface, improving the appearance and ease of swallowing of tablets.
Adjusting drug release: Through different HPMC formulations and coating thicknesses, controlled release or sustained release can be achieved.

4. Sustained-release agents

HPMC is widely used in sustained-release preparations. Through the gel barrier it forms, it can delay drug release and achieve long-term treatment:
Gel barrier: In aqueous media, HPMC dissolves and forms a viscous gel, which can control the release rate of the drug.
Stable release: The viscosity and concentration of HPMC can be precisely controlled to achieve stable and predictable drug release.
Reduced medication frequency: Sustained-release dosage forms can reduce the frequency of medication for patients and improve the compliance and effectiveness of drug treatment.

5. Liquid preparations and gels

HPMC plays an important role as a thickener and stabilizer in liquid preparations and gels:
Thickening effect: HPMC forms a uniform colloidal solution in water, which can increase the viscosity of liquid preparations and improve suspension stability.
Stabilizing effect: HPMC can maintain a stable viscosity under various pH conditions, which helps stabilize drug ingredients and prevent precipitation and stratification.

6. Other applications

HPMC is also used to prepare ophthalmic preparations, nasal preparations and preparations for topical application:
Ophthalmic preparations: HPMC is used as a lubricant in artificial tears and eye drops to relieve dry eye symptoms.
Nasal preparations: As a thickener in nasal sprays, HPMC can prolong the retention time of drugs in the nasal cavity.
Topical preparations: HPMC can form a protective film in topical preparations to help drugs stay on the skin longer.

As a functional excipient, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Its multiple functions in tablet manufacturing, coating, sustained-release preparations, liquid preparations and gels significantly improve the quality and stability of drug preparations. HPMC has become an indispensable and important material in the pharmaceutical industry due to its excellent biocompatibility and functional properties. In the future, with the continuous development of pharmaceutical technology, the application prospects of HPMC in drug research and development and formulation design will be broader.