Croscarmellose sodium is a cross linked polymer of carboxy methyl cellulose sodium and used in pharmaceutical formulation as a disintegrant. Croscarmellose sodium occurs as an odorless, white or grayish white powder.
Disintegrants facilitate the breakup of a tablet in the intestinal tract after oral administration. Cross-linking allows enhanced bioavailability of the drug through superior drug dissolution. Without a disintegrant, tablets may not dissolve appropriately and may affect the amount of active ingredient absorbed, thereby decreasing effectiveness.