PVP

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also known as povidone, is a water-soluble polymer derived from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone. It is widely used in various industries due to its versatile properties. PVP is a synthetic polymer that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and biocompatible. It is recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has excellent solubility in solvents of different polarities.

Chemical Formular: (C₆H₉NO)_n

Uses of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)

In the Pharmaceutical Industry:

• PVP is used as a synthetic polymer vehicle for dispersing and suspending drugs. It serves as a binder for tablets and capsules, a film former for ophthalmic solutions, and an adhesive for transdermal systems. 
• It aids in flavoring liquids and chewable tablets and has been widely employed as a carrier in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and nutraceutical fields for delivering different active principles. 
  

In Medical Procedures:

• In in-vitro fertilization laboratories, PVP is used to slow down spermatozoa in order to capture them for procedures like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). 
  

Other Uses:

• PVP is also used as a cosmetics thickener and blood compatibilizer.

In addition to these applications, PVP has been utilized in various other fields due to its inert, non-toxic, temperature-resistant, and pH-stable nature, making it suitable for encapsulating and catering to both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.