Guar Gum

Guar Gum in Medications

Guar Gum: A Common Pharmaceutical Ingredient Guar gum is a natural polysaccharide derived from guar beans. It does not treat medical conditions, but it plays an important role in tablet formation and product consistency.

What Is Guar Gum?

Guar gum is a galactomannan that forms viscous solutions when hydrated.

Why Is Guar Gum Used in Medications?

Guar gum is used because it:

  • Acts as a thickener and viscosity enhancer in liquids and gels
  • Serves as a binder and disintegrant in tablets
  • Functions as a stabilizer and emulsifier in suspensions
  • Provides controlled release in matrix formulations

These properties make it useful in both prescription and over-the-counter products.

Ingredient Names to Look For

Guar gum may be listed as:

  • Guar gum
  • Guaran
  • Galactomannan from guar
  • Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum

Where Does Guar Gum Appear?

It is commonly found in:

  • Tablets (as binder/disintegrant)
  • Suspensions and emulsions
  • Topical gels and creams
  • Controlled-release formulations

How to Check a Medication’s Ingredient List Ingredient lists can vary by manufacturer and dosage form.

Use PillParser to scan a medication and view its ingredient list.





Adding the manufacturer filters generics (fillers/dyes often differ).

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Understanding ingredient differences is especially important for individuals with known sensitivities. RxAllergyScan.com allows users to compare medication ingredients against their personal allergen profile.

Educational Note This page provides educational information only and does not make medical claims