Elixirs

 

Elixirs

}  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 drugs 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.

Types of elixir

•         Non medicated

•         Medicated

Medicated Elixirs

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 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

Theophylline elixir

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

 

 

 

 

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.

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 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.

Other ingredients

  Viscosity modifier

   Flavor enhancer

Method of prepration

}  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.

}  Pour it in clean bottle

}  Lable the bottle

Advantages of elixirs

}  Taste masker

}  Self preservative

Disadvantages of elixir

}  Addiction

}  Liver sclerosis

}  Sedation

}  Dizziness

}  Large amount of alcohol cause burning sensation to the tongue

Storage

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

 

Written By Shah Haris (Rph)

Doctor of Pharmacy ministry of Health Pakistan