Polysorbate, a substance formulated by the reaction of sorbitan fatty acid ester (a nonionic surfactant) with ethylene oxide, is used in many foreign countries, including the U.S. and the EU,... It is utilized as a surfactant in soaps and cosmetics and also as a lubricant in eye drops.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 2 references
Polysorbate 80 is one of the primary components of protein formulations. This drug inhibits interfacial damage of the protein molecule that undergoes mechanical stress during shipping and handling. Polysorbate 80 also affects the formulation photostability. Exposure to light of polysorbate 80 aqueous solution results in peroxide generation, which in turn may lead to oxidation of the susceptible amino acid residues in the protein molecule.
One study on rats found that Polysorbate 80 increased apical to basolateral membrane permeability of digoxin in Caco-2 cells suggesting that Ps 80 is an in vitro inhibitor of P-glycoprotein. It concluded that PS 80 may influence in vivo absorption of P-gp substrates, and this could be translated to human applications.
- Primary indication
- It is used as a solubilizer, antimicrobial preservative and disinfectant.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- First approval
- Canada, 2020 · United States, 2018
- Also known as
- Polysorbate-80 · Tween 80
- Brand names
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of July 11, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Polysorbate 80, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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