What is it?
Polysorbates are common excipient and solubilizing agents used in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, polysorbate 80 (also known as polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-20 mono-oleate, or Tween 80) is commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry in lotions, medical preparations (e.g., vitamin oils, vaccines, and intravenous preparations) and as an excipient in tablets. A solubilizing agent acts as a surfactant and increases the solubility of one agent in another. A substance that would not normally dissolve in a particular solution is able to dissolve with the use of a solubilizing agent.