What is the formulation of an elixir?
Elixirs are sweetened hydro-alcoholic (water and alcohol) liquids for oral use. Typically, alcohol and water are used as solvents when the drug will not dissolve in water alone. In addition to active drug, they usually contain flavouring and colouring agents to improve patient acceptance.
How much alcohol is in an elixir?
20.2. Typically, an elixir is composed of ethanol (3%–23%) and water. However, other excipients, such as glycerin, sorbitol, propylene glycol, flavoring agents, preservatives, and syrups, may be included as well.
What is difference between elixir and syrup?
Syrup is concentrated, viscous, aqueous solution of sugar or a sugar substitute with or without flavor and medical substance. Elixirs are clear, pleasantly flavored, sweetened hydro alcoholic liquids intended for oral use. 02.
What is the range of alcohol content used in low alcoholic elixir formulation?
Active ingredients are dissolved in a 15–50% by volume solution of ethyl alcohol: aromatic elixirs (USP)
What is primary solvent for elixir?
The USP XVII defines elixirs as clear, sweetened hydroalcohol liquids intended for oral use containing flavoring substances or active medicinal agents. Their primary solvents are alcohol and water, with glycerin, sorbitol and syrup sometimes as an additional solvent and/or sweetening agents.
Why is alcohol used in elixir?
An elixir is a hydro-alcoholic solution of at least one active ingredient. The alcohol is mainly used to: Solubilize the active ingredient(s) and some excipients. Aid in masking the unpleasant taste of the active ingredient(s)
Do you shake elixirs?
If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets or capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
Does elixir contain sugar?
An elixir may also contain the following excipients: Sugar and/or sugar substitutes like the sugar polyols glycerol and sorbitol. Preservatives like parabens and benzoates and antioxidants like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and sodium metabisulfite.
Are elixirs less sweet than syrups?
A syrup may contain less or no sucrose, while an elixir is less sweet and less viscous. Elixirs have greater stability than syrups, so are preferred over syrups. Elixirs contain between 4 and 40 percent alcohol (ethanol).
Why alcohol is used in elixir?
An elixir is a hydro-alcoholic solution of at least one active ingredient. The alcohol is mainly used to: Solubilize the active ingredient(s) and some excipients. Retard the crystallization of sugar.
How many types of elixirs are there?
two categories
There are two categories of elixirs. Some have an all or nothing effect — like stealth or fire guard — and some that create various degrees of an effect — like heat or cold resistance. And this is where some math comes in.