Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA):

Polyvinyl alcohol occurs as an odourless, white to cream-coloured granular powder by produced

through the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate. The repeating unit of vinyl alcohol is not used as the
starting material because it cannot be obtained in the quantities and purity required for
polymerization purposes. The hydrolysis proceeds rapidly in methanol, ethanol, or a mixture of
alcohol and methyl acetate, using alkalis or mineral acids as catalysts. Polyvinyl alcohol has
gained popularity recently as an immediate-release film-coating polymer because of its good
film properties, and the relatively low viscosity of its coating solutions. Typical characteristics of
coatings made with this polymer include the fact that coating solutions that can be somewhat
tacky, while subsequent dry films tend to exhibit good adhesion properties (to tablet surfaces)
and excellent barrier properties (to environmental gases such as oxygen and water vapour);
however, applied coatings may, under certain circumstances, slightly retard tablet dissolution
behaviour.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC):

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, also known as hypromellose is a partially methylated and O-(2-
hydroxypropylated) cellulose ether derivative that occurs as an odourless and tasteless, white or
creamy-white fibrous or granular powder. The first application of HPMC for film coating
appeared in a patent by Singiser of Abbott Laboratories in 1962. Film coatings using
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose have become popular, taking the place of the conventional sugar
coating of tablets, because It is readily soluble in both aqueous media and a wide range of
organic solvent systems normally used for film coating

a. It is colourless and can be coloured by the use of pigments or used in the absence of
pigments to form clear films

b. It is relatively easy to process due to its non-tacky nature

c. It is highly resistant to heat, light and moisture

d. It gives a superior appearance and

e. It is relatively cheap.

HPMC is ideal for coating pharmaceutical tablets intended for immediate release as it
produces tough, yet flexible films that provide excellent protective barriers for coated
substrates. With these properties, film coating with HPMC can increase the stability of the
active drug substance, the mechanical integrity of the substrate, and provide a sufficient
barrier for taste masking applications; yet is sufficiently soluble in gastric fluid, leading to
complete release of the active ingredients.
When used alone, HPMC has tendency to bridge or fill the debossed tablet surfaces. So
mixtures of HPMC and other polymers/ plasticizers are used. HPMC is available in several
grades that vary in viscosity and extent of substitution