Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), also known as hypromellose, is a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer derived from cellulose . It's commonly found in a variety of commercial products, including:
- Food (thickener, emulsifier, anticaking agent) - HPMC is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can find it in salad dressings, ice cream, and bakery products
- Pharmaceuticals (tablet binder, controlled-release mechanism in medications) - HPMC helps hold tablets together and can be formulated to release medication slowly over time.
- Cosmetics and personal care products (thickener, film former) - HPMC can be found in toothpaste, shampoo, and lotions .
- Industrial applications (thickener, binder, lubricant) - HPMC is used in a variety of industrial applications, such as paints, textiles, and construction materials .
