Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Absorption

This pharmacokinetic data does not apply to povidone.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 in mouse, rat, and rabbit are >40 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 1040 mg/kg, respectively . No cases of overdose in humans have been reported.

Chemical properties

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is hygroscopic, white or yellowish-white powder or flakes.

The Uses of Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Polyvinylpyrrolidone, commonly known as PVP, serves a variety of purposes across different industries. It is utilized as an adhesive in glue sticks, an emulsifier and disintegrant in solution polymerization, and an additive in RNA extraction buffers. In the field of spectroscopy, it acts as a dispersion enhancing agent in DOSY NMR. PVP is also found in personal care items like shampoos, toothpastes, inkjet printer inks, and contact lens solutions. Its applications extend to the food and wine industries as a thickening agent and fining agent, respectively. Furthermore, it is employed as a capping agent in the synthesis of silver nanowires. In cosmetics, PVP is a multifunctional ingredient used as a binder, film former, emulsion stabilizer, suspending agent, and hair fixative, predominantly in products such as mascara, eyeliner, hair conditioners, hair sprays, shampoos, and other hair care items.

The Uses of Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Polyvinylpyrrolidone has been used:

• to perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure
• in the preparation of endophyte coating agent mixture, to coat creeping bentgrass seed
• as a component of prehybridization solution

Indications

When in complex with iodine, indicated for inducing antisepsis for prevention of infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Background

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or polyvidone, is a synthetic, water-soluble polymer derived from N-vinylpyrrolidone. It is widely used as a binder in pharmaceutical tablets and as a lubricant in eye drops. Povidone's versatility extends to technical applications where it serves as an adhesive, additive, and emulsifier. When combined with iodine, it forms Povidone-iodine, an antiseptic solution with the iodine providing bactericidal properties and povidone acting as a carrier. This compound is prevalent in over-the-counter topical solutions, ointments, pessaries, liquid soaps, and surgical scrubs. However, its efficacy in wound healing is debated, with some clinical studies suggesting it may impede healing, weaken wounds, or cause infections in open wounds. The FDA has withdrawn approval for intravenous drug products containing povidone, but other formulations remain accessible.

Preparation

N-Vinylpyrrolidone is prepared from 1,4-butanediol as follows:

N -Vinylpyrrolidone is water-soluble and is usually polymerized in aqueous solution at about 50??C with ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. The polymer is also water-soluble and is isolated by spray-drying. Commercial grades of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have average molecular weights (Mv) ranging from about 10000 up to 360000.
The largest use of polyvinylpyrrolidone is in cosmetic formulations, especially hair lacquers. In the latter applications, polyvinylpyrrolidone is the preferred film-former on account of good adhesion to hair, lustre of the film and ease of removal on washing. The polymer is also used as a binder in pharmaceutical tablets. Polyvinylpyrrolidone also finds use in the textile industry, particularly in colour stripping operations, where the great affinity of the polymer for dyestuffs is utilized. An interesting application of polyvinylpyrrolidone is in aqueous solution as a blood plasma substitute; such material was extensively used in Germany during the Second World War.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Polyvinylpyrrolidone can bind to polyphenol. Thus, it is known to be used for RNA isolation from plants rich in polyphenols. It is extensively used in the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Pharmacokinetics

Polyvinylpyrrolidone itself has no microbicidal activity. Povidone-iodine exhibits rapid, potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties . The clinical effectiveness of povidon-iodine on wound healing remains somewhat controversial; in few clinical studies investigating the effects of povidone-iodine on wound healing, topical administration of the complex was associated with no significant infections, but slower healing and mild to moderate discomfort on application.

Safety

The safety assessment of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a food additive reported that the absorption of PVP was very low; there were sufficient toxicological data on PVP; there were no concerns about the genotoxicity of PVP; and in a carcinogenicity study in rats, no carcinogenicity was detected at the highest dose of 2,500 mg PVP/kg bw per day tested. Therefore, the Panel concluded that there was no need to establish an ADI value for PVP and that there were no safety concerns for the reported uses and use levels of PVP as a food additive. The Panel also concluded that the proposed expanded use was not expected to pose a safety concern at the proposed maximum allowable intake and recommended consumption levels.

Metabolism

This pharmacokinetic data does not apply to povidone.

Incompatibilities

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is compatible in solution with a wide range of inorganic salts, natural and synthetic resins, and other chemicals. It forms molecular adducts in solution with sulfathiazole, sodium salicylate, salicylic acid, phenobarbital, tannin, and other compounds; see Section 18. The efficacy of some preservatives, e.g. thimerosal, may be adversely affected by the formation of complexes with povidone.