Crospovidone is a synthetic insoluble but rapidly swellable homopolymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, which meets the following Pharmacopoeial specifications:-

Crospovidone NF
Crospolyvidonum Ph Eur

Crospovidone is also referenced in the Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients Handbook.

Crospovidone is a unique cross-linked polymer. Unlike most cross-linked polymers which arc synthesized In two discrete stages, i.e.

Polymerisation followed by the formation of cross-links by a separate reaction, the Crospovidone series consists of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone polymerised and cross-linked simultaneously by a reaction known as "pop-corn" polymerisation.

The unique structure of Crospovidone provides superior adsorptive capacity and exceptional swelling rate. This renders it an excellent tablet disintegrant and functional excipient in novel delivery systems.

PRODUCT PROFILE

SOLUBILITY AND VISCOSITY

Crospovidone is completely insoluble in water and all solvents as a consequence of its
cross-linked structure. It does, however, swell extremely rapidly in water which makes it the premier superdisintegrant for solid dosage forms.

Crospovidone is hydrophilic and, on contact, rapidly absorbs water. This causes a massive build up of hydrostatic pressure which is a key contributor to Its disintegration potential.

Crospovidone: rapidly disperses in water and does not gel even after prolonged exposure. Consequently. it does not affect the viscosity of water or solvents.

COMPATIBILITY

Crospovidone is chemically inert and no chemical incompatibilities with drug actives have been recorded.