Identification
- Summary
Carboxymethylcellulose is a compound used as an ophthalmic lubricant.
- Brand Names
- Leader Lubricant Eye Drops, Refresh Drops, Refresh Liquigel, Refresh Optive Advanced, Refresh Optive Extended Therapy, Retaine, Thera Tears, Theratears
- Generic Name
- Carboxymethylcellulose
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11059
- Background
Carboxymethylcellulose is a cellulose derivative that consists of the cellulose backbone made up of glucopyranose monomers and their hydroxyl groups bound to carboxymethyl groups. It is added in food products as a viscosity modifier or thickener and emulsifier. It is also one of the most common viscous polymers used in artificial tears, and has shown to be effective in the treatment of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye symptoms and ocular surface staining 1. The viscous and mucoadhesive properties as well as its anionic charge allow prolonged retention time in the ocular surface 1. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is the most commonly used salt.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved, Investigational
- Synonyms
- Carbose
- Carboxymethyl cellulose
- Carmellose
- Carmelosa
- Cellulose carboxymethyl ether
- Cellulose gum
- Cellulose, carboxymethyl ether
- Thylose
Pharmacology
- Indication
Indicated for the symptomatic relief of burning, irritation and discomfort of the eyes due to dryness or exposure to wind or sun.
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- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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In a randomized clinical study of patients with mild or moderate forms of eye dryness, ophthalmic treatment with sodium carboxymethylcellulose resulted in a diminished frequency of symptoms compared to the placebo group 2. Carboxymethylcellulose interacts with human corneal epithelial cells to facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing and attenuate eye irritation in a dose-dependent manner 1. It exhibits protective actions on the ocular surface in various applications; it mediates cytoprotective effects on the ocular surface when applied prior to contact lenses and reduces the incidence of epithelial defects during LASIK 1.
- Mechanism of action
Carboxymethylcellulose binds to the surface of corneal epithelial cells via its glucopyranose subunits binding to glucose receptors GLUT-1 1. The residence time of carboxymethylcellulose bound to corneal cells is approximately 2 hours as indicated by a short-term binding assay 1. Binding of carboxymethylcellulose to the matrix proteins stimulated corneal epithelial cell attachment, migration, and re-epithelialization of corneal wounds 1.
Target Actions Organism USolute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1 binderHumans - Absorption
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Volume of distribution
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Protein binding
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Metabolism
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Route of elimination
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Half-life
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Clearance
No pharmacokinetic data available.
- Adverse Effects
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Rat oral LD50, rabbit dermal LD50, and rat inhalation LC50 of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are 27000 mg/kg, >2 g/kg, and >5800 mg/m^3 (4 hours), respectively MSDS.
- 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.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAcetazolamide The risk or severity of dehydration can be increased when Acetazolamide is combined with Carboxymethylcellulose. Aclidinium The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Aclidinium. Alfentanil The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Alfentanil. Alloin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carboxymethylcellulose is combined with Alloin. Amantadine The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine. Amiloride The risk or severity of dehydration can be increased when Amiloride is combined with Carboxymethylcellulose. Amiodarone The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amiodarone. Amitriptyline The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amitriptyline. Amlodipine The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amlodipine. Amobarbital The therapeutic efficacy of Carboxymethylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amobarbital. 
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- No interactions found.
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Product Ingredients
Ingredient UNII CAS InChI Key Carboxymethylcellulose sodium K679OBS311 9004-32-4 Not applicable - Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Acne Patchs Patch 1.5 mg/1 Topical Shenzhen Xing Ji Zhi Tong Technology Co.,Ltd 2021-01-07 Not applicable US 
Acne Pimple Master Patch Patch 30 mg/10g Topical Cosrx Inc. 2015-12-28 2015-12-31 US Artificial Tears Liquid 10 mg/1mL Ophthalmic Delsam Pharma Llc 2020-07-23 Not applicable US Artificial Tears Solution / drops 10 mg/1mL Ophthalmic Aru Pharma Inc. 2018-01-22 2025-03-31 US Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops Solution / drops 10 mg/1mL Ophthalmic Ezricare Llc 2020-11-22 Not applicable US Auro-cmc For solution 5 mg/1mL Topical Aurolab 2022-09-20 Not applicable US Biolle Gel Tears Solution / drops 10 mg/1mL Ophthalmic Sage Ethnographic Research, Dba Biollé 2015-06-01 Not applicable US Biolle Tears Solution / drops 5 mg/1mL Ophthalmic Sage Ethnographic Research, Dba Biollé 2015-06-01 Not applicable US Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Gel 10 mg/1mL Ophthalmic AvPAK 2020-11-18 Not applicable US Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Solution / drops 5 mg/1mL Ophthalmic AvPAK 2020-11-19 Not applicable US - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image CARMELUB® PLUS UD Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg) + Glycerin (9 mg) Solution Ophthalmic TECNOFAR TQ S.A.S 2019-11-12 2021-12-08 Colombia 
CARMELUB® PLUSSOLUCIÓN OFTÁLMICA Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg) + Glycerin (9 mg) Solution Ophthalmic TECNOFAR TQ S.A.S 2021-10-25 Not applicable Colombia Clear Eyes for Dry Eyes Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (1.0 %) + Glycerin (0.25 %) Solution Ophthalmic Prestige Brands Inc 2008-03-26 2014-03-20 Canada 
CVS Moisturizing Lubricating Eye Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/100mg) + Glycerin (9 mg/100mg) Solution / drops Ophthalmic CVS Health 2013-09-03 Not applicable US CVS Moisturizing Lubricating Eye Twin Pack Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/1mL) + Glycerin (9 mg/1mL) Solution / drops Ophthalmic CVS Health 2014-07-10 Not applicable US Equate Comfort Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (2.5 mg/1mL) + Hypromellose (3 mg/1mL) Gel Ophthalmic Walmart Stores 2014-04-10 Not applicable US Equate Day and Night Restore Tears Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/1mL) + Mineral oil (425 mg/1g) + Petrolatum (573 mg/1g) Kit Ophthalmic Walmart Stores 2018-06-01 Not applicable US Equate Lubricating Eye Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/1mL) + Glycerin (9 mg/1mL) Solution / drops Ophthalmic Walmart Stores 2012-04-01 Not applicable US Equate Restore Dual Lubricating Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/1mL) + Glycerin (9 mg/1mL) Solution / drops Ophthalmic Walmart 2018-03-01 Not applicable US Equate Restore Dual Sensitive Lubricant Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (5 mg/1mL) + Glycerin (9 mg/1mL) Solution / drops Ophthalmic Walmart Stores 2016-05-03 Not applicable US - Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Acne Patchs Carboxymethylcellulose (1.5 mg/1) Patch Topical Shenzhen Xing Ji Zhi Tong Technology Co.,Ltd 2021-01-07 Not applicable US Acne Pimple Master Patch Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (30 mg/10g) Patch Topical Cosrx Inc. 2015-12-28 2015-12-31 US Cho-A Derm Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (130 g/433g) Dressing Topical Cho-A Pharm.Co.,Ltd. 2018-06-19 Not applicable US Cho-A Derm Beauty Care Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (130 g/433g) Dressing Topical Cho-A Pharm.Co.,Ltd. 2021-12-01 Not applicable US Cho-A Derm-R Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (130 g/433g) Dressing Topical Cho-A Pharm.Co.,Ltd. 2021-12-01 Not applicable US Mizon Bye Bye Pimple Carboxymethylcellulose (1.05 g/3.5g) Patch Topical Mizon Co.,Ltd. 2018-05-01 Not applicable US Thera-clear Carboxymethylcellulose (60 g/100g) Patch Topical Peach Town Wholesale Inc. 2020-11-06 Not applicable US Trouble Clear Spot Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (36.87 mg/241) Patch Topical Skinfood Co., Ltd. 2016-04-01 2017-03-01 US Trouble Clear Spot 0.7cm Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (6.17 mg/101) Patch Topical Skinfood Co., Ltd. 2015-02-01 2017-03-01 US Trouble Clear Spot 1.0cm Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (12.58 mg/51) Patch Topical Skinfood Co., Ltd. 2015-02-01 2017-03-01 US
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Classification
- Not classified
- Affected organisms
- Not Available
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 05JZI7B19X
- CAS number
- 9000-11-7
References
- General References
- Garrett Q, Simmons PA, Xu S, Vehige J, Zhao Z, Ehrmann K, Willcox M: Carboxymethylcellulose binds to human corneal epithelial cells and is a modulator of corneal epithelial wound healing. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Apr;48(4):1559-67. doi: 10.1167/iovs.06-0848. [Article]
- Bruix A, Adan A, Casaroli-Marano RP: [Efficacy of sodium carboxymethylcellulose in the treatment of dry eye syndrome]. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2006 Feb;81(2):85-92. [Article]
- DailyMed: Refresh Tears (carboxymethylcellulose) lubricating eye drops [Link]
- External Links
- PubChem Substance
- 347911098
- 2062
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL1909054
- Wikipedia
- Carboxymethyl_cellulose
- MSDS
- Download (34 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Treatment Allergic Conjunctivitis (AC) 1 4 Completed Treatment Cataracts / Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) 1 4 Completed Treatment Cervical Preparation / Medically induced abortion / Pain 1 4 Completed Treatment Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) 10 4 Completed Treatment Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) / Dry Eyes 1 4 Completed Treatment Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) / Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) 2 4 Recruiting Treatment Dry Eyes 1 4 Unknown Status Prevention Myopia (Disorder) 1 4 Unknown Status Treatment Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) / Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) / Retinal Vein Occlusion 1 3 Completed Treatment Bilateral LASIK Surgery 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Patch Topical 1.5 mg/1 Patch Topical 30 mg/10g Solution Conjunctival; Ophthalmic 5 mg Liquid Ophthalmic 10 mg/1mL For solution Topical 5 mg/1mL Solution / drops Ophthalmic 10 mg/1mL Syrup Oral Suspension Subcutaneous 2.000 mg Solution Ophthalmic 5 mg/1mL Solution Conjunctival; Ophthalmic 10 mg Liquid Ophthalmic 0.5 % Solution / drops Conjunctival Solution / drops Conjunctival 1 % Solution / drops; suspension / drops Ophthalmic 4 mg/0.4mL Solution / drops Ophthalmic Dressing Topical 130 g/433g Solution / drops Ophthalmic 2.5 mg/1mL Liquid Ophthalmic 0.5 g/100mL Solution / drops Ophthalmic Gel Ophthalmic Kit Ophthalmic Liquid Intraocular 5 mg/1mL Solution Ophthalmic 10 mg Solution Intraocular; Ophthalmic 10 mg Spray Oral Aerosol, spray Oral Solution / drops Ophthalmic .5 g/100mL Solution, gel forming / drops Ophthalmic 0.5 g/100mL Solution Ophthalmic Solution Ophthalmic 5 mg Liquid Ophthalmic 5 mg/1mL Solution, gel forming / drops Ophthalmic .5 g/100mL Solution Ophthalmic 0.5 mg Solution Ophthalmic 0.5 g/100mL Patch Topical 1.05 g/3.5g Solution Ophthalmic 0.5 % w/v Capsule Oral 300 mg Solution Conjunctival; Ophthalmic Liquid Ophthalmic Liquid Ophthalmic 5 mg/mL Ointment Ophthalmic; Topical Paste Oral; Topical Solution / drops Ophthalmic 0.25 % w/v Gel Ophthalmic 10 mg/1mL Solution / drops Ophthalmic 1 % Solution Ophthalmic 0.5 % Solution Ophthalmic 1 % Emulsion Ophthalmic Solution / drops Ophthalmic 0.5 % Solution / drops Ophthalmic 5 mg/1mL Kit; solution Ophthalmic Aerosol Oral Solution / drops Ophthalmic 0.5 %w/v Patch Topical 60 g/100g Solution Ophthalmic 0.25 % w/w Solution / drops Ophthalmic 0.5 g/100mL Patch Topical 36.87 mg/241 Patch Topical 6.17 mg/101 Patch Topical 12.58 mg/51 Patch Topical 18.12 mg/91 Solution / drops Ophthalmic 5.25 mg/1ml - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Solid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source melting point (°C) 300 MSDS - Predicted Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
Targets
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- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Unknown
- Actions
- Binder
- General Function
- Xenobiotic transporter activity
- Specific Function
- Facilitative glucose transporter. This isoform may be responsible for constitutive or basal glucose uptake. Has a very broad substrate specificity; can transport a wide range of aldoses including b...
- Gene Name
- SLC2A1
- Uniprot ID
- P11166
- Uniprot Name
- Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1
- Molecular Weight
- 54083.325 Da
References
- Garrett Q, Simmons PA, Xu S, Vehige J, Zhao Z, Ehrmann K, Willcox M: Carboxymethylcellulose binds to human corneal epithelial cells and is a modulator of corneal epithelial wound healing. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Apr;48(4):1559-67. doi: 10.1167/iovs.06-0848. [Article]
Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at September 25, 2023 18:32