PEG 400's hydrophilic ether backbone allows it to dissolve both polar and moderately non-polar drug molecules, making it one of the most widely used parenteral and oral co-solvents. It is FDA-approved for oral, topical, and intravenous use across numerous marketed drug products.
Polyethylene Glycol 400 is a low-molecular-weight, water-miscible liquid PEG grade widely used as a co-solvent in injectable, oral, and topical pharmaceutical formulations, valued for its low toxicity and broad solubilizing power for lipophilic APIs.
| Chemical Name | Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400; Macrogol 400) |
| CAS Number | 25322-68-3 |
| IUPAC Name | Poly(ethylene glycol), average Mn 400 |
| Molecular Formula | H(OCH2CH2)nOH (n8.2-9.1) |
| Molecular Weight | 380-420 g/mol g/mol |
| Density | 1.128 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 238°C |
Solubilizes lipophilic APIs in IV and IM formulations, e.g. certain anticonvulsant and chemotherapy injectables.
Used as a solvent/vehicle in oral solutions and soft-gelatin capsule fill formulations.
Functions as a humectant and vehicle component in topical creams, ointments, and suppositories.
Used as a plasticizer in film-coating formulations for solid oral dosage forms.
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Pharm. Res.
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