Sadaqat ali

Eixirs

Definition Differences between syrups and elixirs Why do we need elixirs Types of elixirs Method of preparation Advantages and disadvantages Storage

Content

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%.

Elixir

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.

Difference between syrups and elixirs

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.

Need of 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

Non medicated elixir

Medicated elixirs are a solution of the active ingredient dissolved in water and an alcohol often along with other excipients such as preservatives.

Medicated elixirs

Non medicated

Medicated

Types of elixir

Medicated Elixirs

Primarily used in the symptomatic relife of allergies .

Suppresses symptoms caused by histamine .

Brand name: Promethazine Winthrop

Anti Histamine Elixirs

Sodium benzoate, sodium sulfate and sodium metabisulfite.

Adverse affects: Dryness of nose ,mouth, throat Dizziness Disturbed concentration Sedation antihistaminic agents are basic amines

Ingredients of promethazine elixir

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 .

Phenobarbital Elixir

Phenobarbital 4.0g Orange oil 0.25ml Propylene glycol 100ml Alcohol 200ml Sorbitol solution 600ml Color q.s Purified water 1000ml

Phenobarbital Elixir

preventing and treating symptoms and blockage of airway due to asthma or other lung diseases (emphysema, bronchitis).

Theophylline elixir

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

Ingredients for elixirs

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.

Ingredients of elixir

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.

.

Exipients

Usually ethyl alcohol is used as the alcohol Concentration is about 10 to 12 percent

Alocohol

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.

sweetners

Viscosity modifier Flavor enhancer

Other ingredients

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.

Method of prepration

Pour it in clean bottle Lable the bottle

Taste masker Self preservative

Advantages of elixirs

Addiction Liver sclerosis Sedation Dizziness Large amount of alcohol cause burning

sensation to the tongue

Disadvantages of elixir

Elixirs should be stored in a tightly closed and light resistant container away from direct heat and sunlight.

storage