Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), also known as cellacefate (INN) and cellulosi acetas phthalas, is a commonly used polymer phthalate in the formulation of pharmaceuticals, such as the enteric coating of tablets or capsules and for controlled release formulations.

The most common way to prepare cellulose acetate phthalate consists of the reaction of a partially substituted cellulose acetate (CA) with phthalic anhydride in the presence of an organic solvent and a basic catalyst.

Enteric coatings based on CAP are resistant to acidic gastric fluids, but easily soluble in mildly basic medium of the intestine.

The pH sensitive solubility of CAP is mainly determined (as other properties of this mixed ester) by the degree of substitution (DS), namely the average number of substituent groups bound to an anhydroglucose unit (AGU), as well as by the molar ratio (acetyl and phthaloyl groups).

According to a 1944 study by Hodge, there was no histological change in rats fed CAP for a year.