Carboxymethylcellulose

Mechanism-of-action class: Demulcent Activity.

• Uses For the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye. For the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye or from exposure to wind and sun.

Directions To open, twist tab completely off. Instill 1 or 2 drops into affected eye(s) as needed and discard container.

For use in the eyes only. Do not use if solution changes color or becomes cloudy. When using this product ■ do not touch tip of container to any surface to avoid contamination. ■ do not reuse; once opened discard. Stop use and ask a doctor if ■ you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye. ■ the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

1. 1Drug Ineffective1,66213%
2. 2Eye Irritation1,52412%
3. 3Eye Pain1,43211%
4. 4Macular Degeneration9487.5%
5. 5Vision Blurred8676.9%
6. 6Cataract8126.5%
7. 7Off Label Use7696.1%
8. 8Ocular Hyperaemia7115.7%
9. 9Dry Eye6925.5%
10. 10Nausea6475.1%
11. 11Headache6325.0%
12. 12Pain5254.2%
13. 13Fatigue5124.1%
14. 14Malaise4403.5%
15. 15Weight Decreased4113.3%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Carboxymethylcellulose as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Physical and biological synergistic strategies: injectable CNF/CMC hydrogels with cannabidiol@PCL microspheres for durable facial filling.
  Carbohydrate polymers · 2026 · Wang H, Chen G, Song R, et al.
  PMID 42173581DOI 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125376
• Development of active food packaging using carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin composites reinforced with carbon quantum dots derived from pumpkin peel waste.
  Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) · 2026 · Kavindi MAR, Nkede FN, Meng F, et al.
  PMID 42169305DOI 10.1016/j.foodres.2026.119344
• Innovative silver-salicylic acid nanoparticle coatings based on CMC and chitosan for mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. "Fajri Klan") fruit preservation.
  Scientific reports · 2026 · Hmmam I, Abdallatif A, Mamdouh BM, et al.
  PMID 42156462DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-52586-5
• Injectable photo-crosslinked hyaluronic acid/carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel for the sustained delivery of rhFGF2 and accelerated wound healing.
  European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2026 · Patrojanasophon P, Chidchai P, Opanasopit P, et al.
  PMID 42155814DOI 10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107559
• Multifunctional electrospun carboxymethyl cellulose-based composite nanofibers incorporating ZnO nanoparticles for enhanced wound healing.
  International journal of biological macromolecules · 2026 · Janani S, Khoshnevisan K, Kakhki NA, et al.
  PMID 42140295DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152555
• Effects of different solvents on the physicochemical properties of gelatin/carboxymethyl cellulose/resveratrol electrospun nanofiber films.
  International journal of biological macromolecules · 2026 · Sun C, Wang YS, Cipriani JF, et al.
  PMID 42134703DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152540
• Multifunctional zwitterionic hydrogel electrolyte based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose for 20% small tensile strain and its aqueous zinc-ion battery.
  International journal of biological macromolecules · 2026 · Bao W, Shao S, Sun S, et al.
  PMID 42114582DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152437
• Multifunctional polyvinyl alcohol-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/quercetin-ZnO nanofiber composites: Synergistic interplay of bioactivity, conductivity, and surface engineering.
  International journal of biological macromolecules · 2026 · Erol İ, İsmail İ, Hazman Ö, et al.
  PMID 42092652DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152342

The 10 most recently updated of 231 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Carboxymethylcellulose as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 70 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT03606967updated 2026-06-12
• A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of a Marketed Denture Adhesive in Real-World Setting
  Completed · Interventional · 375 enrolled · HALEON
  NCT07273149updated 2026-06-02
• Study of the Subdermal Implant "Ultracol"
  Completed · Interventional · 23 enrolled · Estelab Clinic
  NCT07617350updated 2026-06-01
• Cabozantinib for Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Meningioma
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 24 enrolled · Baptist Health South Florida
  NCT05425004updated 2026-05-14
• The Effects of a Novel Mitochondrial Substrate Supplement on Exercise Performance and Cognitive Function
  Completed · Interventional · 40 enrolled · University of Exeter
  NCT06374641updated 2026-05-12
• A Study of KL590586 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
  Active not recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 414 enrolled · Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  NCT05265091updated 2026-05-08
• Eyelid Taping Alone Versus Taping With Lubricant Eye Drops for Perioperative Corneal Protection
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 200 enrolled · Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
  NCT07562594updated 2026-05-07
• Elimination of Odor and Treatment of Malodorous Recalcitrant Wounds by Using Supraz and PRP-FG Versus Standard of Care
  Active not recruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
  NCT05983302updated 2026-05-06
• Dimensional Changes of Peri-implant Tissues Following Jumping Gap Grafting Using Erythropoietin Gel Mixed With Xenograft.
  Not yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 26 enrolled · Ain Shams University
  NCT07523412updated 2026-04-15
• Gene Expression Study Between Two Dermal Injectables Hydroxylapatite Semi-permanent Filler
  Completed · Interventional · 21 enrolled · Galderma R&D
  NCT05620043updated 2026-04-15

Frequently asked questions

How does Carboxymethylcellulose work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Demulcent Activity.

What is Carboxymethylcellulose used for?

According to FDA labeling, Carboxymethylcellulose carries indications including: Uses For the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye. For the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye or from exposure to wind and sun.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Carboxymethylcellulose?

Carboxymethylcellulose is classified as Demulcent Activity.

What are the brand names for Carboxymethylcellulose?

Carboxymethylcellulose is marketed under brand names including Eyes Alive Lubricating, TheraTears.