Cellulose

Cellulose: Not a Typical Medical Substance

Cellulose is not typically considered a medical substance. It's a naturally occurring polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate, widely found in the cell walls of plants. While it has some applications in the pharmaceutical industry, it's not directly used as a medication.

Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

Function in Plants:

• Structural support: Cellulose provides rigidity and stability to plant cell walls, helping plants maintain their shape and withstand stress.

Uses in the Pharmaceutical industry:

• Excipient: Cellulose is primarily used as an excipient in various pharmaceutical products. Excipients are inactive ingredients that help with the formulation, manufacturing, and delivery of medications. Cellulose can serve various purposes as an excipient, such as:
  • Tablet binder: It helps bind the various ingredients in tablets to maintain their shape and ensure they disintegrate properly in the body.
  • Bulking agent: It can be used to increase the volume of a tablet or capsule, especially when the active ingredient is present in a very small amount.
  • Disintegrant: Some forms of cellulose can help tablets disintegrate quickly in the digestive system, allowing for faster release and absorption of the medication.