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%.
Difference between syrups and elixirs
}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.
Need of elixir
}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.
Non medicated elixir
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
Medicated elixirs
}Medicated elixirs are
a solution of the active ingredient dissolved
in water and an alcohol often along
with other excipients such as preservatives.
Anti Histamine Elixirs
}Primarily used in the
symptomatic relief of allergies .
}Suppresses symptoms
caused by histamine .
}
}Brand name:
Promethazine Winthrop
Ingredients of promethazine elixir
}Sodium benzoate,
sodium sulfate and sodium metabisulfite.
Adverse affects:
}Dryness of nose
,mouth, throat
}Dizziness
}Disturbed
concentration
}Sedation
}antihistaminic agents
are basic amines
Phenobarbital Elixir
}The barbiturates are
nonselective central nervous system (CNS) depressants that are primarily used
as sedative-hypnotics.
}Phenobarbital is a
long 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 .
}
Phenobarbital Elixir
}Phenobarbital 4.0g
}Orange oil 0.25ml
}Propylene glycol 100ml
}Alcohol 200ml
}Sorbitol
solution 600ml
}Color q.s
}Purified water 1000ml
}
Theophylline elixir
}preventing and
treating symptoms and blockage of airway due to asthma or other lung diseases (emphysema,
bronchitis).
Ingredients of elixir
}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.
Exipients
}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.
}
Alocohol
}Usually ethyl alcohol
is used as the alcohol
}Concentration is
about 10 to 12 percent
Sweetners
}Elixirs are
always sweetened, but rarely contain sucrose. This is because sucrose
makes a solution much more viscous or thick, an
undesirable property in an elixir. Many other sweeteners can be
used, including aspartame, carboxymethylcellulose and
its derivatives, saccharin, cyclamate, and acesulfame
potassium. However, none of these sweeteners are
considered truly safe; in fact, cyclamate and saccharin are banned in
several countries.
} Advantages of elixirs
}Taste masker
}Self preservative
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