Identification
- Summary
Methylcellulose is a compound used as a bulk forming laxative and is not an approved medication.
- Brand Names
- Citrucel
- Generic Name
- Methylcellulose
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11228
- Background
Methyl cellulose polymer consisting of numerous linked glucose molecules used as a stabiliser, thickener and emulsifier for foodstuffs and cosmetics. The Degree of Substitution (DS) of a given form of methyl cellulose is defined as the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose with a theoretical maximum of 3, however more typical values are 1.3 2.6. Methyl cellulose is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel. It is available under a variety of trade names as a treatment for constipation. Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not allergenic
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved
- Synonyms
- Cellulose methyl
- cellulose methyl ether
- Cellulose methylate
- Methyl cellulose
- methylated cellulose
- Methylcellulose
- Methylcellulosum
- Metilcelulosa
- External IDs
- E461
Pharmacology
- Indication
Solutions containing methyl cellulose are used as substitute for tears or saliva if the natural production of these fluids is disturbed. It is also used or constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. Used in the manufacture of capsules in nutritional supplements. Its edible and nontoxic properties provide a vegetarian alternative to the use of gelatin.
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- Associated Therapies
- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.
- Mechanism of action
Methylcellulose absorbs water in the gastrointestinal lumen thereby increasing the bulk of the stool. This leads to distension and stimulation of peristalsis. The ability of methylcellulose to absorb water may contribute to its efficacy in the management of diarrhea by once again increasing the bulk and consistency of the stool.
- Absorption
Cellulose derivatives considered in this report are virtually unabsorbed and little or no degradation of absorbed and little or no degradation of absorbable products occurs in the human digestive tract. In humans, virtually 100 percent of orally ingested methyl cellulose can be recovered in the feces withihn four days, indicating that absorption does not occur.
- Volume of distribution
accumulation in liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney, and vascular walls.
- Protein binding
Not Available
- Metabolism
Reported that when methylcellulose was given iv to dog and rabbit , aside from effect upon circulating blood, inability of body to degrade substance led to its retention & accumulation in liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney, and vascular walls.
- Route of elimination
When swallowed they are not absorbed to any appreciable degree and appear unchanged in feces.
- Half-life
4.2 minutes
- Clearance
Not Available
- Adverse Effects
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Organism: Mouse Test type: LD50 Route : Intraperitoneal Reported Dose: 275gm/kg ( 275000mg/kg) Toxic Effect: Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value
Organism: Mouse Test type: LDLo Route : Intravenous Reported Dose: 1gm/kg ( 1000mg/kg) Toxic Effect: Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value
- 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 Methylcellulose. Aclidinium The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Aclidinium. Alfentanil The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Alfentanil. Alloin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Methylcellulose is combined with Alloin. Amantadine The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine. Amiloride The risk or severity of dehydration can be increased when Amiloride is combined with Methylcellulose. Amiodarone The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amiodarone. Amitriptyline The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amitriptyline. Amlodipine The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amlodipine. Amobarbital The therapeutic efficacy of Methylcellulose can be decreased when used in combination with Amobarbital. 
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- Take with a full glass of water.
Products
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Ingredient UNII CAS InChI Key Methylcellulose (100 MPa.s) 4GFU244C4J 9004-67-5 Not applicable Methylcellulose (15 MPa.s) NPU9M2E6L8 9004-67-5 Not applicable Methylcellulose (1500 MPa.s) Z944H5SN0H 9004-67-5 Not applicable Methylcellulose (25 MPa.s) BI55GG2WLI 9004-67-5 Not applicable Methylcellulose (400 MPa.s) O0GN6F9B2Y 9004-67-5 Not applicable Methylcellulose (4000 MPa.s) MRJ667KA5E 9004-67-5 Not applicable - Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Best Choice Fiber Therapy Tablet 500 mg/1 Oral Best Choice (Valu Merchandisers Company) 2019-04-19 Not applicable US 
CDMA Fiber Therapy Tablet 500 mg/1 Oral Chain Drug Marketing Association 2019-04-19 Not applicable US Citrucel Powder, for solution 2 g/19g Oral GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC 2010-09-16 Not applicable US Citrucel Powder, for solution 2 g/10.2g Oral GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC 2010-09-16 Not applicable US Citrucel Tablet 500 mg/1 Oral GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US) LLC 2010-02-01 Not applicable US CVS Health Soluble Fiber Therapy Powder, for solution 2 g/10.2g Oral CVS Pharmacy,Inc. 2015-09-30 2019-06-28 US DRx Choice Fiber Therapy Tablet 500 mg/1 Oral Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc 2022-07-20 Not applicable US DRx Choice Fiber Therapy Powder, for solution 2 g/10.2g Oral Raritan Pharmaceuticals Inc 2022-07-18 Not applicable US Entrocel Solution 1.8% Solution 1.8 % Oral Tyco Healthcare 1988-12-31 2010-01-07 Canada 
equate Fiber Therapy Tablet 500 mg/1 Oral Wal-Mart Stores,Inc., 2017-08-30 Not applicable US - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Slim-mint Gum Methylcellulose (44 mg / gum) + Benzocaine (4 mg / gum) Gum, chewing Oral Stella Pharmaceutical Canada Inc. 1978-12-31 1998-08-13 Canada
Categories
- ATC Codes
- A06AC06 — Methylcellulose
- Drug Categories
- Classification
- Not classified
- Affected organisms
- Not Available
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- Not Available
- CAS number
- 9004-67-5
References
- General References
- External Links
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Treatment Allergic Conjunctivitis (AC) 2 4 Completed Treatment Dry Eyes 1 4 Completed Treatment Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 1 4 Completed Treatment Ophthalmopathy , Lacrimal System 1 4 Completed Treatment Periodontal Disease 1 4 Terminated Treatment Use of Midodrine in Post-cardiopulmonary Bypass Vasoplegic Syndrome 1 4 Unknown Status Treatment Cataracts 1 4 Unknown Status Treatment Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 1 2 Active Not Recruiting Treatment Acanthamoeba Keratitis 1 2 Completed Prevention End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Powder, for solution Oral 2 g/19g Powder, for solution Oral 2 g/10.2g Solution Oral 1.8 % Tablet Oral 500 mg/1 Solution / drops Ophthalmic Solution / drops Ophthalmic 10 mg/15mL Solution / drops Ophthalmic 1 % Powder Oral 2 g / 19 g Powder Oral 2 g / 10.2 g Tablet Oral 500 mg Gum, chewing Oral - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Not Available
- Experimental Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at September 25, 2023 18:32