What is "hypromellose"

n. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used as a food additive, an excipient in oral medicaments(,) and an ophthalmic lubricant.

Hypromellose ( INN), short for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), is a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used as an ophthalmic lubricant, as well as an excipient and controlled-delivery component in oral medicaments, found in a variety of commercial products.

As a food additive, hypromellose is an emulsifier, thickening and suspending agent, and an alternative to animal gelatin. Its Codex Alimentarius code ( E number) is E464.