Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)

What is it?

Hypromellose, also commonly known as hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) is a coating agent and film-former used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry.^[1] It has also been used as a rate-controlling polymer for sustained-release dose forms.

As a powder, hypromellose is off-white to beige and may be in granules.^[2] Hypromellose is considered an inert ingredient. It has a high viscosity and is often used in ophthalmic preparations as artificial tears for dry eyes.^[2] In the US, it is available over-the-counter (OTC) in such products as Isopto Tears and Nature’s Tears.