Acetyltriethyl citrate (ATEC, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate) is a water-soluble plasticizer used in pharmaceutical plasticized polymers. It is an aliphatic ester of citric acid which is a clear oily liquid with essentially no odor. In pharmaceutical polymers, ATEC is used as a hydrophilic plasticizer in the coating of press-coated. tablets that are composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate or enteric polymer films consisting of polymethacrylic acid methylmethacrylate. ATEC is also used in protein films composed of whey protein or sunflower protein for buccal and sublingual films or particulate systems. Acetyl Triethyl Citrate and Acetyl Tributyl Citrate are used in nail products at concentrations up to 7%. In a guinea pig maximization test, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate was a sensitizer whereas Acetyl Tributyl Citrate was not. Limited clinical testing of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate and Acetyl Tributyl Citrate was negative for both skin irritation and sensitization. Physiologic effects noted with intravenous delivery of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate or Acetyl Tributyl Citrate include dose-related decreases in blood pressure and intestinal muscular spasms.