Elixirs
Elixirs are clear, sweet, hydroalcoholic liquid
preparations that contain one or more medicinal substances. They are
used for oral administration and often contain flavoring agents
to improve taste and alcohol to help dissolve ingredients that are not
easily soluble in water. Elixirs are pleasant to take and are commonly used for
children and adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules.
Definition
An elixir is a clear, sweetened, flavored,
hydroalcoholic solution containing medicinal substances meant for oral
use.
Composition
- Active
ingredient: The drug that produces the therapeutic effect
- Alcohol
and water: Act as solvents to dissolve both water-soluble and
alcohol-soluble substances
- Sweeteners:
Like sucrose or sorbitol, to improve taste
- Flavoring
agents and coloring agents: To make it palatable and attractive
- Preservatives:
To prevent microbial growth and increase shelf life
Advantages
- Pleasant
taste makes them acceptable to patients
- Clear
and stable due to alcohol content
- Good
solvent properties, dissolve both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs
- Quick
absorption due to liquid form
- Easy
to swallow, suitable for children and elderly
Disadvantages
- Alcohol
content may not be suitable for children, pregnant women, or certain
patients
- Volatile
nature may lead to evaporation and change in concentration
- Not
suitable for heat-sensitive or unstable drugs
- Risk
of misuse or overdose due to pleasant taste
Examples
- Paracetamol
elixir – used as a pain reliever and fever reducer
- Iron
elixir – for anemia
- Antihistamine
elixirs – for allergies and cold
- Cough
elixirs – for soothing cough and throat irritation
Importance of Liquid Oral Dosage Forms
- Provide
a pleasant-tasting and easily swallowed dosage form:
Liquid preparations can be flavored and sweetened to mask unpleasant drug tastes, making them easier to take.
Example: Paracetamol syrup has a sweet taste, making it pleasant for children. - Useful
for children, elderly, and patients with swallowing difficulties:
Liquids are ideal for patients who cannot swallow tablets or capsules easily.
Example: Cough syrups or antacid suspensions are given to children and elderly patients for easy administration. - Allow
accurate and flexible dosing:
The dose can be easily adjusted using measuring spoons or droppers, ensuring correct and flexible drug administration.
Example: Iron tonics allow variable doses depending on the patient's age and condition. - Ensure
rapid absorption and onset of action:
Since the drug is already in dissolved form, it is absorbed faster from the gastrointestinal tract, leading to quicker effects.
Example: Antipyretic solutions like Ibuprofen suspension act faster than tablets in reducing fever. - Improve
patient compliance due to good flavor and appearance:
Pleasant-tasting and colorful liquids encourage patients, especially children, to take their medication regularly.
Example: Multivitamin syrups are flavored and colored to increase acceptance. - Suitable
for both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble drugs:
Liquid forms such as syrups (water-based) and elixirs (alcohol-based) can be used for drugs with different solubility properties.
Example: Elixirs of diphenhydramine (antihistamine) use alcohol as a solvent for better stability and solubility.
