Croscarmellose sodium is a superdisintegrant (C28H30Na8O27). It is produced by acidifying or lowering the pH of aqueous suspensions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and heating the suspension to achieve cross-linking. During digestion, a disintegrant releases and disperses the active ingredient of the drug into particles and increases the surface area for dissolution.

When in contact with water, a superdisintegrant swells and hydrates rapidly to accelerate water absorption while minimising viscosity effects.