2. Definition
Differences between syrups and elixirs
Why do we need elixirs
Types of elixirs
Method of preparation
Advantages and disadvantages
Storage
3. Elixirs are clear sweetened, hydroalcohlic
preparations intended for oral use and
usually flavored for palatability.
Alcoholic content vary from 10% to 12% and
up to 40%.
4. An elixir must always contain alcohol, whereas a
syrup may or may not use an alcohol for solubility
purposes.
Elixirs are meant to always be a clear liquid, whereas
syrups can contain various natural or artificial dyes.
In general, elixirs are less viscous than syrups due to
their higher alcohol content and their minimal use
of sucrose and other viscosity-improving agents.
When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, it
contains an active ingredient that is dissolved in a
solution that contains some percentage (usually 10-
12%) of ethyl alcohol and is designed to be taken
orally.
5. Some drug are insoluble in water so in this
case we can’t use syrups & suspension.
So we have to make a dosage form which
could dissolve non polar compounds
Aid in masking the unpleasant taste of the
active ingredients.
6. These are simple elixirs that do not contain
medicated agents.
These only contain
alcohol
sweetening agent
coloring agent
they are self preserving
Use as diluent or vehicle
7. Medicated elixirs are a solution of the active
ingredient dissolved in water and
an alcohol often along with
other excipients such as preservatives.
10. Primarily used in the symptomatic relife of
allergies .
Suppresses symptoms caused by histamine .
Brand name: Promethazine Winthrop
11. Sodium benzoate, sodium sulfate and sodium
metabisulfite.
Adverse affects:
Dryness of nose ,mouth, throat
Dizziness
Disturbed concentration
Sedation
antihistaminic agents are basic amines
12. The barbiturates are nonselective central
nervous system (CNS) depressants that are
primarily used as sedative-hypnotics.
Phenobarbital is along lasting barbiturate
with a duration of action of 4-6 hours
A usual dose as a sedative of about 30mg
and hypnotic dose of about 100mg .
15. preventing and treating symptoms and
blockage of airway due to asthma or other
lung diseases (emphysema, bronchitis).
16. Theophylline Elixir
Theophylline 5.3 g
Citric acid 10.0 g
Liquid glucose 44.0 g
Syrup 132.0 mL
Glycerin 50.0 mL
Sorbitol solution 324.0 mL
Alcohol 200.0 mL
Saccharin sodium 5.0 g
Lemon oil 0.5 g
FDC Yellow No. 5 0.1 g
Purified water, to make 1,000.0 mL
18. Sugar or sugar substitutes like the sugar e.g
polyglycerol or sorbitol.
Alcohol.
water.
Flavoring agents and flavor enhancers.
Coloring agents.
Although it is self preserving but preservating
agents may be added like parabins.
19. Often, an elixir has more ingredients than
just the drug, water and ethanol. elixirs often
contain glycerin, sorbitol, polyethylene
glycol or syrups
These are sweetening agents and can
mediate the pharmacological effects of the
ethanol.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) may be used in an
elixir as a substitute for both glycerin and
ethanol.
.
20. Usually ethyl alcohol is used as the alcohol
Concentration is about 10 to 12 percent
21. Elixirs are always sweetened, but rarely
contain sucrose. This is because sucrose
makes a solution much more viscousor thick,
an undesirable property in an elixir. Many
other sweetners can be used,
including aspartame, carboxymethylcellulose
and its derivatives, saccharin, cyclamate,
and acesulfame potassium. However, none of
these sweetners are considered truly safe; in
fact, cyclamate and saccharin are banned in
several countries.
23. Alcohol soluble and water soluble
components are generally dissolved
separately in alcohol and water
Aqueous solution is added to the alcoholic
solution, so minimal separation of alcohol
soluble components occurs.
Mixture is made up to the volume by the
specific solvent or vehicle.
Talc to remove excess amount of oil
Filter the preparation.
