Viscosity-increasing agents methylcellulose

The main function of the foam stabilising agent is to reinforce the intercellular film wall by contributing rheological characteristics of viscoelasticity. The increased viscosity may also assist handling. The aim, as so often with auxiliaries, is to achieve an optimum balance. If the bubbles are too thin and wet too quickly they will collapse prematurely, whilst too stable a film could hinder uniform application. Examples of products used as foam stabilisers include thickening agents such as the polysaccharides, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose,... 

A popular approach to improve ocular drag bioavailability is to incorporate soluble polymers into an aqueous solution to extend the drug residence time in the cul-de-sac. It is reasoned that the solution viscosity would be increased and hence solution drainage would be reduced. The more commonly used viscolyzing agents include PVA and derivatives of cellulose. Cellulosic polymers, such as methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), are widely used as viscolyzers showing Newtonian properties. They have common properties ... 

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