Methylcellulose

Identification

Summary

Methylcellulose is a compound used as a bulk forming laxative and is not an approved medication.

Brand Names
Citrucel
Generic Name
Methylcellulose
DrugBank Accession Number
DB11228
Background

Methyl cellulose polymer consisting of numerous linked glucose molecules used as a stabiliser, thickener and emulsifier for foodstuffs and cosmetics. The Degree of Substitution (DS) of a given form of methyl cellulose is defined as the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose with a theoretical maximum of 3, however more typical values are 1.3 2.6. Methyl cellulose is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel. It is available under a variety of trade names as a treatment for constipation. Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not allergenic

Type
Small Molecule
Groups
Approved
Synonyms
  • Cellulose methyl
  • cellulose methyl ether
  • Cellulose methylate
  • Methyl cellulose
  • methylated cellulose
  • Methylcellulose
  • Methylcellulosum
  • Metilcelulosa
External IDs
  • E461

Pharmacology

Indication

Solutions containing methyl cellulose are used as substitute for tears or saliva if the natural production of these fluids is disturbed. It is also used or constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. Used in the manufacture of capsules in nutritional supplements. Its edible and nontoxic properties provide a vegetarian alternative to the use of gelatin.

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Associated Conditions
Indication TypeIndicationCombined Product DetailsApproval LevelAge GroupPatient CharacteristicsDose Form
Treatment ofConstipation••• •••
Used in combination to treatDry eye syndrome (des)Combination Product in combination with: Benzalkonium (DB11105)••• ••••••••••• • •••••
Associated Therapies
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Pharmacodynamics

It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.

Mechanism of action

Methylcellulose absorbs water in the gastrointestinal lumen thereby increasing the bulk of the stool. This leads to distension and stimulation of peristalsis. The ability of methylcellulose to absorb water may contribute to its efficacy in the management of diarrhea by once again increasing the bulk and consistency of the stool.

Absorption

Cellulose derivatives considered in this report are virtually unabsorbed and little or no degradation of absorbed and little or no degradation of absorbable products occurs in the human digestive tract. In humans, virtually 100 percent of orally ingested methyl cellulose can be recovered in the feces withihn four days, indicating that absorption does not occur.

Volume of distribution

accumulation in liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney, and vascular walls.

Protein binding

Not Available

Metabolism

Reported that when methylcellulose was given iv to dog and rabbit , aside from effect upon circulating blood, inability of body to degrade substance led to its retention & accumulation in liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney, and vascular walls.

Route of elimination

When swallowed they are not absorbed to any appreciable degree and appear unchanged in feces.

Half-life

4.2 minutes

Clearance

Not Available

Adverse Effects
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Toxicity

Organism: Mouse Test type: LD50 Route : Intraperitoneal Reported Dose: 275gm/kg ( 275000mg/kg) Toxic Effect: Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

Organism: Mouse Test type: LDLo Route : Intravenous Reported Dose: 1gm/kg ( 1000mg/kg) Toxic Effect: Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

Pathways
Not Available
Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
DrugInteraction
AcetazolamideThe risk or severity of dehydration can be increased when Acetazolamide is combined with Methylcellulose.
AclidiniumThe therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Aclidinium.
AlfentanilThe therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Alfentanil.
AlloinThe risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Methylcellulose is combined with Alloin.
AmantadineThe therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
Food Interactions
  • Take with a full glass of water.

Products

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Product Ingredients
IngredientUNIICASInChI Key
Methylcellulose (100 MPa.s)4GFU244C4J9004-67-5Not applicable
Methylcellulose (15 MPa.s)NPU9M2E6L89004-67-5Not applicable
Methylcellulose (1500 MPa.s)Z944H5SN0H9004-67-5Not applicable
Methylcellulose (25 MPa.s)BI55GG2WLI9004-67-5Not applicable
Methylcellulose (400 MPa.s)O0GN6F9B2Y9004-67-5Not applicable
Methylcellulose (4000 MPa.s)MRJ667KA5E9004-67-5Not applicable
Over the Counter Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
Best Choice Fiber TherapyTablet500 mg/1OralBest Choice (Valu Merchandisers Company)2019-04-19Not applicableUS flag
CDMA Fiber TherapyTablet500 mg/1OralChain Drug Marketing Association2019-04-19Not applicableUS flag
CitrucelPowder, for solution2 g/10.2gOralGlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC2010-09-16Not applicableUS flag
CitrucelPowder, for solution2 g/19gOralGlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC2010-09-16Not applicableUS flag
CitrucelTablet500 mg/1OralGlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC2010-02-01Not applicableUS flag
Mixture Products
NameIngredientsDosageRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
Slim-mint GumMethylcellulose (44 mg / gum) + Benzocaine (4 mg / gum)Gum, chewingOralStella Pharmaceutical Canada Inc.1978-12-311998-08-13Canada flag

Categories

ATC Codes
A06AC06 — Methylcellulose
Drug Categories
Classification
Not classified
Affected organisms
Not Available

Chemical Identifiers

UNII
Not Available
CAS number
9004-67-5

References

General References
  1. HMDB [Link]
  2. FDA [Link]
  3. Toxnet [Link]
  4. ChemIDplus [Link]
  5. Webmd [Link]
KEGG Drug
D04996
PubChem Substance
347911158
ChemSpider
23107149
RxNav
6873
ChEBI
53448
Wikipedia
Methyl_cellulose

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials
PhaseStatusPurposeConditionsCount
4CompletedTreatmentAllergic Conjunctivitis (AC)2
4CompletedTreatmentDry Eyes1
4CompletedTreatmentIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)1
4CompletedTreatmentOphthalmopathy , Lacrimal System1
4CompletedTreatmentPeriodontal Disease1

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers
Not Available
Packagers
Not Available
Dosage Forms
FormRouteStrength
Powder, for solutionOral2 g/10.2g
Powder, for solutionOral2 g/19g
SolutionOral1.8 %
TabletOral500 mg/1
Solution / dropsOphthalmic
Solution / dropsOphthalmic10 mg/15mL
Solution / dropsOphthalmic1 %
PowderOral2 g / 19 g
PowderOral2 g / 10.2 g
TabletOral500 mg
Gum, chewingOral
Prices
Not Available
Patents
Not Available

Properties

State
Not Available
Experimental Properties
Not Available
Predicted Properties
Not Available
Predicted ADMET Features
Not Available

Spectra

Mass Spec (NIST)
Not Available
Spectra
Not Available
Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Not Available

Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at March 28, 2024 03:23