Sodium starch glycolate

Sodium starch glycolate (CAS 9063-38-1), commonly abbreviated as SSG, is a cross-linked, carboxymethylated starch derivative used primarily as a superdisintegrant in solid dosage pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Where is Sodium starch glycolate used?

• Pharmaceutical tablets: superdisintegrant in direct compression formulations
• Wet granulation: rapid disintegration of oral solid dosage forms across a broad range of APIs
• Topical and cosmetic formulations: thickener and texture modifier in gels, creams, and cleansing products
• Specialty food: carrier and stabilizer in dry blended systems
• It rapidly absorbs water and swells, breaking apart compressed tablets and capsule fills within minutes.
• Has minimal disintegrant effect on hydrophobic excipients.
• In toothpaste tablets, helps the tablet disintegrate and rapidly release its active ingredients upon contact with saliva.

Good to know: Type A (low sodium, low substitution) is the most commonly sourced grade for regulated drug products. Type A, Type B, and Type C grades allow formulators to select sodium levels, matched to specific API sensitivities and regulatory requirements.

Formulation notes

• Although the effectiveness of many disintegrants is affected by the presence of excipients such as lubricants, the disintegrating effectiveness of sodium starch glycolate is not impaired.
• Can act synergistically with other disintegrants such as crospovidone and croscarmellose sodium.

Typical specification

• Type A has a pH of 5.5-7.5.
• Type A has a sodium content of 2.8-4.2%.
• Loss on drying is not more than 10.0%.
• May contain a maximum of 7.0% sodium chloride.

Regulatory status

• Listed as an approved pharmaceutical excipient by regulatory authorities including the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP).

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a cool, dry place below 30°C, protected from moisture and pressure.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.