Amberlite® IRP 88 is a chemical compound, a mosapride citrate-resin complex.

The name defines the structure of the molecule:

• Amberlite is the trademark of a series of ion exchange resins produced by Rohm and Haas, a company that is now part of Dow Chemical. These resins are used in a variety of applications, including water purification and industrial processes.
• IRP stands for Industrial Resin Product and indicates that this particular resin is designed for industrial use.
• 88 is a product number specific to the Amberlite IRP series. Different numbers correspond to different types of resins with different properties and uses.

The synthesis process takes place in several stages:

• Polymerization: The first step in the production of ion exchange resins is the polymerization of a mixture of styrene and divinylbenzene. Thus a copolymer pearl is formed.
• Sulfonation: The copolymer microsphere is then sulfated with sulfuric acid to introduce sulfonic acid groups. This phase converts the pearl into a cation exchange resin.

If anion exchange resin is desired, the microsphere is further treated with an amine, such as trimethylamine. In this way amino groups are introduced on the microsphere, converting it into an anionic exchange resin.

What it is for and where

Amberlite® IRP 88 that is used in the preparation of medicinal tablets to improve oral disintegration and has been shown to be particularly useful for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Mosapride citrate is a gastroprokinetic agent that promotes gastric emptying and is used to treat dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux. (1)

Amberlite IRP 88 has been utilized in various studies. For instance, it has been used in the preparation of a new chelating resin for the preconcentration and adsorption of rhodium (III) for environmental monitoring. It has also been used as an acid catalyst in the synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles.

References___________________________________________________________________

Wu T, Wang G, Shi C, Li J, Zhao N, Dong Z, Pan W, Zhang X. Development and evaluation of orally disintegrating tablets containing the mosapride resin complex. Acta Pharm. 2018 Jun 1;68(2):159-170. doi: 10.2478/acph-2018-0017.

(1) Ruth M, Hamelin B, Röhss K, Lundell L. The effect of mosapride, a novel prokinetic, on acid reflux variables in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Jan;12(1):35-40. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00268.x.