Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Toxicity

May cause chemical pneumonitis in case of inhalation and skin irritation. Animal data suggests potential alteration in female fertility.

Description

Hetastarch, another nonproteinaceous colloid, is a complex mixture of ethoxylated amylopectins ranging in molecular weight from 10 to 1,000 kDa (average molecular weight, ~450 kDa). When infused as a 6% solution, hetastarch approximates the activity of human albumin. The larger molecular weights, however, increase its intravascular residence time as well as its plasma expansion effects relative to albumin.
Hetastarch is synthetically produced, so it is degraded more slowly and is less antigenic than other colloids. Despite these advantages, hetastarch is quite expensive and also has no oxygen-carrying capacity.

The Uses of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

hydroxyethyl cellulose is a thickener, protective colloid, binder, stabilizer, and suspending agent. It is obtained from wood pulp Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial Review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. or chemical cotton by treatment with an alkali.

Background

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a polysaccharide derivative with gel thickening, emulsifying, bubble-forming, water-retaining and stabilizing properties. It is used as a key ingredient in many household cleaning products, lubricants and cosmetics due to its non-ionic and water-soluble nature. It is often used as an ingredient in ophthalmic pharmaceutical preparations such as artificial tear solutions and adjunct agent in topical drug formulations to facilitate the delivery of drugs with hydrophobic character.

What are the applications of Application

Hydroxyethyl-cellulose is A network-forming polymer in capillary electrophoresis of DNA restriction fragments.

Indications

For alleviating surface irritation in topical ocular administrations, such as artificial tear solutions. Hydroxyethyl cellulose is also found in topical formulations to aid in more efficient drug diffusion across the membranes.

Pharmacokinetics

Hydroxyethyl cellulose acts as a demulcent by relieving inflammation or irritation and dryness of eyes. It acts as one of the key ingredient and viscosity-enhancing agent to prolong corneal contact time and increase intraocular drug levels .

Metabolism

Not Available