Polyethylene Glycol: Polyethylene Glycol is usually designated by a number that corresponds approximately to its average molecular weight. As the average molecular weight increases, the water solubility, vapor pressure, hygroscopicity, and solubility in organic solvents decrease, while congealing temperature, specific gravity, flash point, and viscosity increase. Liquid grades occur as clear to slightly hazy, colorless or practically colorless, slightly hygroscopic, viscous liquids, having a slight, characteristic odor, and a specific gravity at 25 of about 1.12. Solid grades occur as practically odorless and tasteless, white, waxy, plastic material having a consistency similar to beeswax, or as creamy white flakes, beads, or powders. The accompanying table states the approximate congealing temperatures that are characteristic of commonly available grades. Liquid grades are miscible with water; solid grades are freely soluble in water; and all are soluble in acetone, in alcohol, in chloroform, in ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, in ethyl acetate, and in toluene; all are insoluble in ether and in hexane. NF category: Coating agent; plasticizer; solvent; suppository base; tablet and/or capsule lubricant.
Nominal Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycol Approximate Congealing Temperature ()
300 11
400 6
600 20
900 34
1000 38
1450 44
3350 56
4500 58
8000 60
Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether: Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether is usually designated by a number that corresponds approximately to its average molecular weight. As the average molecular weight increases, the water solubility, vapor pressure, hygroscopicity, and solubility in organic solvents decrease, while congealing temperature, specific gravity, flash point, and viscosity increase. Liquid grades occur as clear to slightly hazy, colorless or practically colorless, slightly hygroscopic, viscous liquids, having a slight, characteristic odor, and a specific gravity at 25 of about 1.09 – 1.10. Solid grades occur as practically odorless and tasteless, white, waxy, plastic material having a consistency similar to beeswax, or as creamy white flakes, beads, or powders. The accompanying table states the approximate congealing temperatures that are characteristic of commonly available grades. Liquid grades are miscible with water; solid grades are freely soluble in water; and all are soluble in acetone, in alcohol, in chloroform, in ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, in ethyl acetate, and in toluene; all are insoluble in ether and in hexane. NF category: Ointment base; solvent; plasticizer.
Nominal Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Approximate Congealing Temperature ()
350 7
550 17
750 28
1000 35
2000 51
5000 59
8000 60
10000 61
Polyethylene Oxide: Polyethylene oxide resins are high molecular weight polymers having the common structure:
(–O–CH2CH2–)n
in which n, the degree of polymerization, varies from about 2000 to over 100,000. Polyethylene oxide, being a polyether, strongly hydrogen, bonds with water. It is nonionic and undergoes salting-out effects associated with neutral molecules in solutions of high dielectric media. Salting-out effects manifest themselves in depressing the upper temperature limit of solubility, and in reducing the viscosity of both dilute and concentrated solutions of the polymers. All molecular weight grades are powdered or granular solids. They are soluble in water but, because of the high solution viscosities obtained (see table), solutions over 1% in water may be difficult to prepare. The water solubility, hygroscopicity, solubility in organic solvents, and melting point do not vary in the specified molecular weight range. At room temperature polyethylene oxide is miscible with water in all proportions. At concentrations of about 20% polymer in water, the solutions are nontacky, reversible, elastic gels. At higher concentrations, the solutions are tough, elastic materials with the water acting as a plasticizer. Polyethylene oxide is also freely soluble in acetonitrile, in ethylene dichloride, in trichloroethylene, and in methylene chloride. Heating may be required to obtain solutions in many other organic solvents. It is insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons, in ethylene glycol, in diethylene glycol, and in glycerol. NF category: Suspending and/or viscosity-increasing agent; tablet binder.
Approximate Molecular Weight Typical Solution Viscosity (cps), 25
5% Solution 1% Solution
100,000 40  
200,000 100  
300,000 800  
400,000 3000  
600,000 6000  
900,000 15,000  
4,000,000   3500
5,000,000   5500
Polyethylene 50 Stearate: NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyglyceryl 3 Diisostearate: Viscous liquid. Soluble in alcohol, in methylene chloride, in mineral oil, and in vegetable oils; insoluble in water. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; ointment base.
Add the following:
Polyglyceryl Dioleate: Viscous liquid. Soluble in methylene chloride, in mineral oil, and in vegetable oils; sparingly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in water. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent.NF30
Polyisobutylene: Low molecular-weight grades are soft and gummy; high molecular-weight grades are tough and elastic. All grades are light in color, odorless, and tasteless. Soluble in diisobutylene, in toluene, and in chloroform; insoluble in water.
Polymyxin B Sulfate: White to buff-colored powder. Is odorless or has a faint odor. Freely soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol.
Polyoxyl Lauryl Ether: A material with 3–5 oxyethylene units per molecule is a colorless liquid. Soluble or dispersible in alcohol; practically insoluble in water and in hexane. A material with 9–23 oxyethylene units per molecule is a white, waxy mass. Soluble or dispersible in water; soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in hexane. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl Oleate: A slightly yellowish, viscous liquid. Dispersible in water and in oils. Soluble in alcohol and in isopropyl alcohol. Miscible with fatty oils and with waxes. Its refractive index is about 1.466.
Polyoxyl 10 Oleyl Ether: White, soft semisolid, or pale yellow liquid, having a bland odor. Soluble in water and in alcohol. Dispersible in mineral oil and in propylene glycol, with possible separation on standing. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl 15 Hydroxystearate: Yellowish to white waxy mass. Very soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and in 2-propanol; insoluble in mineral oil. It solidifies at 25. NF category: Tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent; vehicle (oleaginous).
Polyoxyl 20 Cetostearyl Ether: Cream-colored, waxy, unctuous mass, melting, when heated, to a clear brownish-yellow liquid. Soluble in water, in alcohol, and in acetone; insoluble in solvent hexane. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil: Yellow, oily liquid, having a faint, characteristic odor and a somewhat bitter taste. Very soluble in water, producing a practically odorless and colorless solution; soluble in alcohol and in ethyl acetate; insoluble in mineral oils. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: White to yellowish paste or pasty liquid, having a faint odor and a slight taste. Very soluble in water, producing a practically tasteless, odorless, and colorless solution; soluble in alcohol and in ethyl acetate; insoluble in mineral oils. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl 40 Stearate: Waxy, white to light tan solid. Is odorless or has a faint, fat-like odor. Soluble in water, in alcohol, in ether, and in acetone; insoluble in mineral oil and in vegetable oils. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyoxyl Stearyl Ether: A white to yellowish-white, waxy, unctuous mass, pellets, microbeads, or flakes. Polyoxyl Stearyl Ether with 2 oxyethylene units per molecule is soluble in alcohol, with heating, and in methylene chloride; practically insoluble in water. Polyoxyl Stearyl Ether with 10 oxyethylene units per molecule is soluble in water and in alcohol. Polyoxyl Stearyl Ether with 20 oxethylene units per molecule is soluble in water, in alcohol, and in methylene chloride. After melting, it solidifies at about 45.
Polysorbate 20: Lemon to amber liquid having a faint characteristic odor. Soluble in water, in alcohol, in ethyl acetate, in methanol, and in dioxane; insoluble in mineral oil. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polysorbate 40: Yellow liquid having a faint, characteristic odor. Soluble in water and in alcohol; insoluble in mineral oil and in vegetable oils. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polysorbate 60: Lemon- to orange-colored, oily liquid or semi-gel having a faint, characteristic odor. Soluble in water, in ethyl acetate, and in toluene; insoluble in mineral oil and in vegetable oils. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polysorbate 80: Lemon- to amber-colored, oily liquid having a faint, characteristic odor and a warm, somewhat bitter taste. Very soluble in water, producing an odorless and practically colorless solution; soluble in alcohol and in ethyl acetate; insoluble in mineral oil. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule lubricant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Polyvinyl Acetate: White or off-white powder or colorless granules or beads. Freely soluble in ethyl acetate; soluble in alcohol, in acetone, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in water. It is hygroscopic and swells in water. NF category: Coating agent; desiccant; tablet binder.
Polyvinyl Acetate Dispersion: Opaque, white or off-white, slightly viscous liquid. Miscible with water and with ethanol. It is sensitive to spoilage by microbial contaminants. NF category: Coating agent.
Polyvinyl Acetate Phthalate: Free-flowing white powder. May have a slight odor of acetic acid. Soluble in methanol and in alcohol; insoluble in water, in methylene chloride, and in chloroform. NF category: Coating agent.
Polyvinyl Alcohol: White to cream-colored granules, or white to cream-colored powder. Is odorless. Freely soluble in water at room temperature. Solution may be effected more rapidly at somewhat higher temperatures. NF category: Suspending and/or viscosity-increasing agent.
Sulfurated Potash: Irregular, liver-brown pieces when freshly made, changing to a greenish yellow. Has an odor of hydrogen sulfide and a bitter, acrid, and alkaline taste, and decomposes on exposure to air. A solution (1 in 10) is light brown in color and is alkaline to litmus. Freely soluble in water, usually leaving a slight residue. Alcohol dissolves only the sulfides.
Potassium Acetate: Colorless, monoclinic crystals or white, crystalline powder having a saline and slightly alkaline taste. Is odorless, or has a faint acetous odor. Deliquesces on exposure to moist air. Very soluble in water; freely soluble in alcohol.
Potassium Alginate: White to yellow, fibrous or granular powder. Dissolves in water to form a viscous, colloidal solution; insoluble in alcohol and in hydroalcoholic solutions in which the alcohol content is greater than 30% by weight; insoluble in chloroform, in ether, and in acids having a pH lower than about 3.
Potassium Benzoate: White, odorless, or practically odorless, granular or crystalline powder. Is stable in air. Freely soluble in water; soluble in 90% alcohol; sparingly soluble in alcohol. NF category: Antimicrobial preservative.
Potassium Bicarbonate: Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms or as a white, granular powder. Is odorless, and is stable in air. Its solutions are neutral or alkaline to phenolphthalein TS. Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in alcohol.
Potassium Bitartrate: Colorless or slightly opaque crystals, or white, crystalline powder. A saturated solution is acid to litmus. Soluble in boiling water; slightly soluble in water; very slightly soluble in alcohol.
Potassium Bromide: White, crystalline powder or colorless, cubical crystals. Freely soluble in water and in glycerol; slightly soluble in alcohol.
Potassium Chloride: Colorless, elongated, prismatic, or cubical crystals, or white, granular powder. Is odorless, has a saline taste, and is stable in air. Its solutions are neutral to litmus. Freely soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. NF category: Tonicity agent.
Potassium Citrate: Transparent crystals or white, granular powder. Is odorless, has a cooling, saline taste, and is deliquescent when exposed to moist air. Freely soluble in water; very slightly soluble in alcohol. NF category: Buffering agent.
Potassium Gluconate: White to yellowish-white, crystalline powder or granules. Is odorless, has a slightly bitter taste, and is stable in air. Its solutions are slightly alkaline to litmus. Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in dehydrated alcohol, in ether, in benzene, and in chloroform.
Potassium Hydroxide: White or practically white, fused masses, or small pellets, or flakes, or sticks, or other forms. Is hard and brittle and shows a crystalline fracture. Exposed to air, it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture, and deliquesces. Very soluble in boiling alcohol; freely soluble in water, in alcohol, and in glycerin. NF category: Alkalizing agent.
Potassium Iodide: Hexahedral crystals, either transparent and colorless or somewhat opaque and white, or a white, granular powder. Is slightly hygroscopic. Its solutions are neutral or alkaline to litmus. Very soluble in water and even more soluble in boiling water; freely soluble in glycerin; soluble in alcohol.
Potassium Iodide Oral Solution: Clear, colorless, odorless liquid, having a characteristic, strongly salty taste. Is neutral or alkaline to litmus. Specific gravity is about 1.70.
Potassium Metabisulfite: White or colorless, free-flowing crystals, crystalline powder, or granules, usually having an odor of sulfur dioxide. Gradually oxidizes in air to the sulfate. Its solutions are acid to litmus. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. NF category: Antioxidant.
Potassium Metaphosphate: White, odorless powder. Soluble in dilute solutions of sodium salts; insoluble in water. NF category: Buffering agent.
Potassium Nitrate: White, crystalline powder or colorless crystals. Very soluble in boiling water; freely soluble in water; soluble in glycerin; practically insoluble in alcohol.
Potassium Permanganate: Dark purple crystals, almost opaque by transmitted light and of a blue metallic luster by reflected light. Its color is sometimes modified by a dark bronze-like appearance. Is stable in air. Freely soluble in boiling water; soluble in water.
Dibasic Potassium Phosphate: Colorless or white, somewhat hygroscopic, granular powder. The pH of a solution (1 in 20) is about 8.5 to 9.6. Freely soluble in water; very slightly soluble in alcohol. NF category: Buffering agent.
Monobasic Potassium Phosphate: Colorless crystals or white, granular or crystalline powder. Is odorless, and is stable in air. The pH of a solution (1 in 100) is about 4.5. Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in alcohol. NF category: Buffering agent.
Potassium Sodium Tartrate: Colorless crystals or white, crystalline powder, having a cooling, saline taste. As it effloresces slightly in warm, dry air, the crystals are often coated with a white powder. Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in alcohol.
Potassium Sorbate: White crystals or powder, having a characteristic odor. Melts at about 270, with decomposition. Freely soluble in water; soluble in alcohol. NF category: Antimicrobial preservative.
Povidone: White to slightly creamy white powder. Is hygroscopic. Freely soluble in water, in methanol, and in alcohol; slightly soluble in acetone; practically insoluble in ether. NF category: Suspending and/or viscosity-increasing agent; tablet binder.
Povidone-Iodine: Yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, amorphous powder, having a slight, characteristic odor. Its solution is acid to litmus. Soluble in water and in alcohol; practically insoluble in chloroform, in carbon tetrachloride, in ether, in solvent hexane, and in acetone.
Povidone-Iodine Topical Aerosol Solution: The liquid obtained from Povidone-Iodine Topical Aerosol Solution is transparent, having a reddish brown color.
Pralidoxime Chloride: White to pale-yellow, crystalline powder. Is odorless and is stable in air. Freely soluble in water.
Pramipexole Dihydrochloride: White to almost white crystalline powder. Freely soluble in water; soluble in methanol; slightly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in methylene chloride.
Pramoxine Hydrochloride: White to practically white, crystalline powder, having a numbing taste. May have a slight aromatic odor. The pH of a solution (1 in 100) is about 4.5. Freely soluble in water and in alcohol; soluble in chloroform; very slightly soluble in ether.
Pravastatin Sodium: White to yellowish white, hygroscopic powder. Freely soluble in water and in methanol; soluble in dehydrated alcohol; practically insoluble in acetonitrile and in chloroform.
Praziquantel: White or practically white, crystalline powder; odorless or having a faint characteristic odor. Freely soluble in alcohol and in chloroform; very slightly soluble in water.
Prazosin Hydrochloride: White to tan powder. Slightly soluble in water, in methanol, in dimethylformamide, and in dimethylacetamide; very slightly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in chloroform and in acetone.
Prednicarbate: White to almost white, crystalline powder. Freely soluble in acetone and in alcohol; sparingly soluble in propylene glycol; practically insoluble in water.
Prednisolone: White to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. Melts at about 235, with some decomposition (see Melting Range or Temperature 741). Soluble in methanol and in dioxane; sparingly soluble in acetone and in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform; very slightly soluble in water.
Prednisolone Acetate: White to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. Melts at about 235, with some decomposition (see Melting Range or Temperature 741). Slightly soluble in acetone, in alcohol, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in water.
Prednisolone Hemisuccinate: Fine, creamy white powder with friable lumps; practically odorless. Melts at about 205, with decomposition. Freely soluble in alcohol; soluble in acetone; very slightly soluble in water.
Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate: White or slightly yellow, friable granules or powder. Is odorless or has a slight odor. Is slightly hygroscopic. Freely soluble in water; soluble in methanol; slightly soluble in alcohol and in chloroform; very slightly soluble in acetone and in dioxane.
Prednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection: Creamy white powder with friable lumps, having a slight odor.
Prednisolone Tebutate: White to slightly yellow, free-flowing powder, which may show some soft lumps. Is odorless or has not more than a moderate, characteristic odor. Is hygroscopic. Freely soluble in chloroform and in dioxane; soluble in acetone; sparingly soluble in alcohol and in methanol; very slightly soluble in water.
Prednisone: White to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. Melts at about 230, with some decomposition (see Melting Range or Temperature 741). Slightly soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, in dioxane, and in methanol; very slightly soluble in water.
Prilocaine: White or almost white powder or crystal aggregates. Very soluble in alcohol and in acetone; slightly soluble in water.
Prilocaine Hydrochloride: White, odorless, crystalline powder, having a bitter taste. Freely soluble in water and in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform; very slightly soluble in acetone; practically insoluble in ether.
Primaquine Phosphate: Orange-red, crystalline powder. Is odorless and has a bitter taste. Its solutions are acid to litmus. Melts at about 200. Soluble in water; insoluble in chloroform and in ether.
Primidone: White, crystalline powder. Is odorless and has a slightly bitter taste. Slightly soluble in alcohol; very slightly soluble in water and in most organic solvents.
Probucol: White to off-white, crystalline powder. Freely soluble in chloroform and in n-propyl alcohol; soluble in alcohol and in solvent hexane; insoluble in water.
Probenecid: White or practically white, fine, crystalline powder. Is practically odorless. Soluble in dilute alkali, in chloroform, in alcohol, and in acetone; practically insoluble in water and in dilute acids.
Procainamide Hydrochloride: White to tan, crystalline powder. Is odorless. Its solution (1 in 10) has a pH between 5 and 6.5. Very soluble in water; soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform; very slightly soluble in benzene and in ether.
Procainamide Hydrochloride Injection: Colorless, or having not more than a slight yellow color.
Procaine Hydrochloride: Small, white crystals or white, crystalline powder. Is odorless. Exhibits local anesthetic properties when placed on the tongue. Freely soluble in water; soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether.
Procaine Hydrochloride Injection: Clear, colorless liquid.
Prochlorperazine: Clear, pale yellow, viscous liquid. Is sensitive to light. Freely soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, and in ether; very slightly soluble in water.
Prochlorperazine Edisylate: White to very light yellow, odorless, crystalline powder. Its solutions are acid to litmus. Freely soluble in water; very slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in ether and in chloroform.
Prochlorperazine Maleate: White or pale yellow, practically odorless, crystalline powder. Its saturated solution is acid to litmus. Slightly soluble in warm chloroform; practically insoluble in water and in alcohol.
Procyclidine Hydrochloride: White, crystalline powder, having a moderate, characteristic odor. Melts at about 225, with decomposition. Soluble in water and in alcohol; insoluble in ether and in acetone.
Progesterone: White or creamy white, odorless, crystalline powder. Is stable in air. Soluble in alcohol, in acetone, and in dioxane; sparingly soluble in vegetable oils; practically insoluble in water.
Proguanil Hydrochloride: White, crystalline powder. Sparingly soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in water; practically insoluble in methylene chloride.
Proline: White, odorless crystals, having a slightly sweet taste. Freely soluble in water and in absolute alcohol; insoluble in ether, in butanol, and in isopropanol.
Promazine Hydrochloride: White to slightly yellow, practically odorless, crystalline powder. It oxidizes upon prolonged exposure to air and acquires a blue or pink color. Freely soluble in water and in chloroform.
Promethazine Hydrochloride: White to faint yellow, practically odorless, crystalline powder. Slowly oxidizes, and acquires a blue color, on prolonged exposure to air. Freely soluble in water, in hot dehydrated alcohol, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether, in acetone, and in ethyl acetate.
Propafenone Hydrochloride: White powder. Soluble in methanol and in hot water; slightly soluble in alcohol and in chloroform; very slightly soluble in acetone; insoluble in diethyl ether and in toluene.
Propane: Colorless, flammable gas (boiling temperature is about 42). One hundred volumes of water dissolves 6.5 volumes at 17.8 and 753 mm pressure; 100 volumes of anhydrous alcohol dissolves 790 volumes at 16.6 and 754 mm pressure; 100 volumes of ether dissolves 926 volumes at 16.6 and 757 mm pressure; 100 volumes of chloroform dissolves 1299 volumes at 21.6 and 757 mm pressure. Vapor pressure at 21 is about 10290 mm of mercury (108 psig). NF category: Aerosol propellant.
Propantheline Bromide: White or practically white crystals. Is odorless and has a bitter taste. Melts at about 160, with decomposition. Very soluble in water, in alcohol, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether and in benzene.
Proparacaine Hydrochloride: White to off-white, or faintly buff-colored, odorless, crystalline powder. Its solutions are neutral to litmus. Soluble in water, in warm alcohol, and in methanol; insoluble in ether and in benzene.
Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution: Colorless or faint yellow solution.
Propionic Acid: Oily liquid having a slight pungent, rancid odor. Miscible with water and with alcohol and various other organic solvents. NF category: Acidifying agent.
Propofol: Clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid. Very soluble in methanol and in ethanol; slightly soluble in cyclohexane and in isopropyl alcohol; very slightly soluble in water.
Propoxycaine Hydrochloride: White, odorless, crystalline solid, which discolors on prolonged exposure to light and air. The pH of a solution (1 in 50) is about 5.4. Freely soluble in water; soluble in alcohol; sparingly soluble in ether; practically insoluble in acetone and in chloroform.
Propoxyphene Hydrochloride: White, crystalline powder. Is odorless, and has a bitter taste. Freely soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, and in acetone; practically insoluble in benzene and in ether.
Propoxyphene Napsylate: White powder, having essentially no odor, but having a bitter taste. Soluble in methanol, in alcohol, in chloroform, and in acetone; very slightly soluble in water.
Propranolol Hydrochloride: White to off-white, crystalline powder. Is odorless and has a bitter taste. Melts at about 164. Soluble in water and in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether.
Propyl Gallate: White, crystalline powder having a very slight, characteristic odor. Freely soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in water. NF category: Antioxidant.
Propylene Glycol: Clear, colorless, viscous liquid having a slight, characteristic taste. Is practically odorless. Absorbs moisture when exposed to moist air. Miscible with water, with acetone, and with chloroform. Soluble in ether and will dissolve many essential oils, but is immiscible with fixed oils. NF category: Humectant; plasticizer; solvent.
Propylene Glycol Alginate: White to yellowish fibrous or granular powder. Practically odorless and tasteless. Soluble in water, in solutions of dilute organic acids, and, depending on the degree of esterification, in hydroalcoholic mixture containing up to 60% by weight of alcohol to form stable, viscous colloidal solutions at a pH of 3. NF category: Suspending and/or viscosity-increasing agent.
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate: Clear, colorless or slightly yellow oily liquid at 20. Soluble in fatty oils and in light petroleum; slightly soluble in dehydrated alcohol; practically insoluble in water. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; vehicle.
Propylene Glycol Dilaurate: Clear, oily liquid at 20. Colorless or slightly yellow. Very soluble in alcohol, in methanol, and in methylene chloride; practically insoluble in water.
Propylene Glycol Monocaprylate: Clear, colorless, or slightly yellow, oily liquid at 20. Very soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, and in methylene chloride; practically insoluble in water. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent; tablet and/or capsule diluent; vehicle.
Propylene Glycol Monolaurate: Clear, oily liquid at 20. Colorless or slightly yellow. Very soluble in alcohol, in methanol, and in methylene chloride; practically insoluble in water.
Propylene Glycol Monostearate: White, wax-like solid or as white, wax-like beads or flakes. Has a slight, agreeable, fatty odor and taste. Soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol, mineral or fixed oils, benzene, ether, and acetone; insoluble in water, but may be dispersed in hot water with the aid of a small amount of soap or other suitable surface-active agent. NF category: Emulsifying and/or solubilizing agent.
Propylhexedrine: Clear, colorless liquid, having a characteristic, amine-like odor. Volatilizes slowly at room temperature. Absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, and its solutions are alkaline to litmus. Boils at about 205. Very slightly soluble in water. Miscible with alcohol, with chloroform, and with ether.
Propyliodone: White or almost white, crystalline powder. Is odorless or has a faint odor. Soluble in acetone, in alcohol, and in ether; practically insoluble in water.
Propylparaben: Small, colorless crystals or white powder. Freely soluble in alcohol and in ether; slightly soluble in boiling water; very slightly soluble in water. NF category: Antimicrobial preservative.
Propylparaben Sodium: White powder. Is odorless and hygroscopic. Freely soluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in fixed oils. NF category: Antimicrobial preservative.
Propylthiouracil: White, powdery, crystalline substance. Is starch-like in appearance and to the touch, and has a bitter taste. Soluble in ammonium hydroxide and in alkali hydroxides; sparingly soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in water, in chloroform, and in ether.
Protamine Sulfate Injection: Colorless solution, which may have the odor of a preservative.
Protamine Sulfate for Injection: White, odorless powder, having the characteristic appearance of solids dried from the frozen state.
Protein Hydrolysate Injection: Yellowish to reddish-amber, transparent liquid.
Protriptyline Hydrochloride: White to yellowish powder. Is odorless, or has not more than a slight odor. Melts at about 168. Freely soluble in water, in alcohol, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether.
Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride: Fine, white to off-white crystals or powder, having a faint characteristic odor. Very soluble in water; freely soluble in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform.
Pseudoephedrine Sulfate: White crystals or crystalline powder. Is odorless. Freely soluble in alcohol.
Pullulan: White powder. Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in dehydrated alcohol. NF category: Bulking agent for freeze-drying; coating agent; plasticizer; polymer membrane; sequestering agent; suspending and/or viscosity-increasing agent; tablet binder; tablet and/or capsule diluent; tablet disintegrant; wetting and/or solubilizing agent.
Pumice: Very light, hard, rough, porous, grayish masses or gritty, grayish powder. Is odorless and tasteless, and is stable in air. Practically insoluble in water; is not attacked by acids.
Pyrantel Pamoate: Yellow to tan solid. Soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide; slightly soluble in dimethylformamide; practically insoluble in water and in methanol.
Pyrazinamide: White to practically white, odorless or practically odorless, crystalline powder. Sparingly soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol, in ether, and in chloroform.
Pyrethrum Extract: Pale yellow liquid having a bland, flowery odor. Soluble in mineral oil and in most organic solvents; insoluble in water. Pyrethrins I denotes the group containing pyrethrin 1, cinerin 1, and jasmolin 1; Pyrethrins II denotes the group containing pyrethrin 2, cinerin 2, and jasmolin 2.
Pyridostigmine Bromide: White or practically white, crystalline powder, having an agreeable, characteristic odor. Is hygroscopic. Freely soluble in water, in alcohol, and in chloroform; slightly soluble in solvent hexane; practically insoluble in ether.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride: White to practically white crystals or crystalline powder. Is stable in air, and is slowly affected by sunlight. Its solutions have a pH of about 3. Freely soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in ether.
Pyrilamine Maleate: White, crystalline powder, usually having a faint odor. Its solutions are acid to litmus. Very soluble in water; freely soluble in alcohol and in chloroform; slightly soluble in ether and in benzene.
Pyrimethamine: White, odorless, crystalline powder. Slightly soluble in acetone, in alcohol, and in chloroform; practically insoluble in water.
Pyrvinium Pamoate: Bright orange or orange-red to practically black, crystalline powder. Freely soluble in glacial acetic acid; slightly soluble in chloroform and in methoxyethanol; very slightly soluble in methanol; practically insoluble in water and in ether.
Pyrvinium Pamoate Oral Suspension: Dark red, opaque suspension of essentially very fine, amorphous particles or aggregates, usually less than 10 µm in size. Larger particles, some of which may be crystals, up to 100 µm in size also may be present.