SYRUPS:

 “A syrup is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar
in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but showing little tendency to deposit
crystals.”

OR

“Concentrated aqueous preparations of 85% of sugar or sugar substitute with or without

flavoring agents and medicinal substances.”

MEDICINAL SYRUPS:

In medical terminology, medicinal syrups are nearly saturated solutions of 85% of sugar in water
in which medicinal substances or drugs are dissolved.

COMPONENTS OF SYRUP:

Most syrups contain the following components in addition to the purified water and any
medicinal agents present:

 Sweetening Agent- the sugar, usually sucrose, or sugar substitute used to provide
sweetness and viscosity
 Antimicrobial Preservatives
 Viscosity Modifier
 Flavorants
 Colorants
 Many types of syrups, especially those prepared commercially, contain special solvents,
solubilizing agents, thickeners, or stabilizers.

TYPES OF SYRUP:

1. Aromatic, Flavored, non medicinal or adjuvant syrups:

They are mostly used to improve the taste of salty, bitter, or otherwise unpleasant mixtures.

2. Medicinal syrups:
They are of two types:

 Made from extractive drugs: Here, the fluid extract of the respective medicines is
mixed with the syrup.
 Made from chemicals: This can be either by simple solution or by chemical reaction and
solution. Here the taste of the medicinal agents is greatly modified.
METHODS OF PERARATION:

There are four methods based on the physical and chemical properties of the ingredients, the
choice of the method is selected accordingly.

I. Solution with heat:

This method is used for the preparation of syrups containing volatile substances. In this process
active substance is added in solution and agitated in a glass-stoppered bottle. Closing of bottle is
necessary to protect the syrup from contamination and loss of solution during the process.

For preparation of large quantities, glass lined tank with mechanical agitators is employed. This
method is used for the preparation of wide variety of syrups. Cough syrups are commonly
prepared by this process, (e.g., codeine syrup, ephedrine sulfate syrup etc.)

II. Agitation without heat:

This process is generally preferred as it is simple and less time consuming method, particularly if
the constituents are not effected by heat and are non volatile in nature. In this process sucrose is
added in the aqueous solution and heated till the sucrose is dissolved completely. Adding
remaining amount of distilled water makes up volume of the solution. If the syrups containing
any substances which are coagulated, it can be separated subsequently by straining.

The concentration of the syrup is measured using saccharometer if the specific gravity of the
solution is known. Excessive heating of syrup is not suitable because more inversion of sucrose
occurs with the increase in temperature. Syrups cannot be sterilized in autoclave without
caramelization. This solution is converted in yellowish to brown color due to formation of
caramel by the effect of heat on sucrose.

III. Addition of sucrose to liquid medicament:

This method is put to use in those cases in which tinctures, fluid extracts or other medicated
substances in liquid form are added to syrup to medicate it. In this process some time
precipitation takes place due to the presence of resinous and oily substances. It is necessary to
take care that medicated substance should not get precipitated in this process.

IV. Percolation method:

In this process, purified water or an aqueous solution is allowed to pass through a bed of
crystalline sucrose. A pledget of cotton is put in the neck of the percolator and purified water or
aqueous solution is added in the percolator containing sucrose. The flow rate is controlled by the
stopcock and maintained such that drops appear in rapid succession. If required, a small portion
of liquid is re-passed through the percolator to dissolve the sugar completely in the liquid or
aqueous solvent.
Pointers for a Successful Preparation of Syrups Using Percolation Method:

 Percolator used should be cylindrical or semi-cylindrical, or cone-shaped as it nears the

lower orifice.
 Coarse granular sugar must be used, or it will form into a compact mass, so that the liquid
cannot permeate.
 Purified water must be introduced with care. If inserted too tight will stop the process; if
to loose, the liquid will pass too rapidly and will, in consequently, be weak and turbid
(from imperfect filtration) the cotton should be inserted completely within the neck of the
percolator, since a protruding end, inside the percolator, up through the sucrose will
permit the last portions of water to pass out at the lower orifice without dissolving all the
sucrose.

ADVANTAGES:

 Appropriate for any patient, whatever the age is.

 The most natural and easiest route of administration.
 Economical and safe to the patient.
 No nursing is required, which means the patient can take it with no help.
 The liquid dosage form is expected for certain types of products like cough medicines.
 Pleasant mean of administering
 Syrups are pleasant vehicles of administering a liquid form of a disagreeable tasting
drug. They are particularly effective in administration of drug to youngsters, since
their pleasant tastes usually increase the acceptability of the medicine by the children.
 Low alcohol contents
 Presence of low alcoholic contents increases the acceptability of the medicine by the
parents for their children.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Delayed onset of action because absorption takes time.

 Not suitable in emergency and for unconscious patients.
 Not convenient for a patient with a gastrointestinal disorder such as diarrhea,
constipation, ulceration, and hyperacidity in stomach.
 Can’t avoid first pass metabolism.

EXAMPLES OF SYRUPS AND THEIR USES:

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory:

Brufen syrup: Brufen Syrup is indicated for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still's disease),
ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis and other non-rheumatoid (seronegative) arthropathies.

Expectorant and Bronchodilator:

Ascoril cough syrup: Ascoril Cough Syrup serves a great purpose in the prevention or treatment
of Allergy, Common cold, cough and stuffy nose.

Appetite stimulant:

Pediakid Appetite-Weight Gain syrup: It is an ideal natural appetite stimulant for children
who have ADD, ADHD, and who lack the desire for foods and to eat, and who are losing weight.

Nutritional syrup:

Multivitamin syrup: Multivitamin Syrup is used for Psychiatric states, Vitamin A deficiency,
Eye problems, Skin diseases, Thiamine deficiency, Neurological disorders, Heart problem, Eye
disorders, Migraine headache, Hyperhomocysteinemia and other conditions.
PRESERVATIVES:

1. Syrup should be kept at low temperature, about 25°C is suitable for preservation.
2. Concentration without supersaturation.
3. Addition of preservatives to prevent bacterial and mold growth – e.g. glycerin, methyl
parabens, benzoic acid and sodium benzoate added particularly when concentration of
sucrose is syrup is low.
LABELING AND STORAGE:

Syrup should be kept in well-closed containers and stored at temperature below 30 °C.

Bottle should be completely filled, carefully stoppered and stored in cool dark place.

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