Controlled-Release Film Coatings Based on Ethylcellulose

Abstract

Ethylcellulose has become a polymer widely used in pharmaceutical film coating, especially when it is necessary to produce a modified-release dosage form. While initial emphasis was placed on using organic-solvent-based solutions of this polymer, more recent introduction of aqueous latex dispersions of ethylcellulose has attracted a lot of interest. This review will describe the characteristics of ethylcellulose film-coating systems, and discuss those factors (including those relating to the substrate, coating formulation and coating process) that can influence the behavior of such systems