Sodium stearyl fumarate (C22H39NaO4, MW 390.5, PubChem CID 23665634) is a tablet lubricant used when magnesium stearate’s hydrophobic film is a problem for dissolution or hardness.
Why formulators switch
- Lower ejection force: comparative work (PMID 41875958) reports the lowest ejection force for sodium stearyl fumarate used alone.
- Less hydrophobic: a hydrophilic lubricant that is less disruptive to dissolution than magnesium stearate.
- Compactibility: helps maintain tablet hardness at realistic lubrication levels.
Main applications
- Tablet lubrication: immediate- and modified-release tablets.
- Excipient blends: direct-compression and roller-compaction systems.
Specification snapshot
- PubChem CID: 23665634 · Formula: C22H39NaO4 · MW: 390.5
- Typical use level: 0.5–2% of tablet weight; confirm in your own formulation
Formulation notes
Lubricant sensitivity is formulation-specific. Run a small design-of-experiments on ejection force, hardness and dissolution before scaling.
FAQ
Can it replace magnesium stearate one-for-one? Not always — re-optimise the lubricant level and re-test dissolution.
Is it suitable for nutraceutical tablets? Yes, it is widely used in supplement tableting.
Browse our full ingredient catalogue
Aogubio Co., Ltd (Imaherb) is a GMP-certified manufacturer of bulk cosmetic and supplement ingredients. Every batch ships with COA, MSDS and heavy metal test reports.