Spirits are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances.

Generally, the alcoholic

concentration of spirits is rather high, usually over 60%. Because of the greater solubility of aromatic or
volatile substances in alcohol than in water, spirits can contain a greater concentration of these
materials than the corresponding aromatic waters. When mixed with water or with an aqueous
preparation, the volatile substances present in spirits generally separate from the solution and form a
milky preparation. Spirits may be used pharmaceutically as flavoring agents and medicinally for the
therapeutic value of the aromatic solute. As flavoring agents, they are used to impart the flavor of their
solute to other pharmaceutical preparations. For medicinal purposes, spirits may be taken orally,
applied externally, or used by inhalation, depending upon the particular preparation. When taken orally,
they are generally mixed with a portion of water to reduce the pungency of the spirit. Depending on the
materials, spirits may be prepared by simple solution, solution by maceration, or distillation. The spirits
most recently official in the USP–NF are aromatic ammonia spirit, camphor spirit, compound orange
spirit, and peppermint spirit.

Ansel

Spirits Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances. Some spirits are used as flavouring
agents, others are medicinal.

Aulton

Spirits Spirits, sometimes known as essences, are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile
substances. Like the aromatic waters, the active ingredient in the spirit may be a solid, liquid, or gas. The
genealogical tree for this class of preparations begins with a distinguished pair of products, Brandy
(Spiritus Vini Vitis) and Whisky (Spiritus Frumenti), and ends with a wide variety of products that comply
with the definition given. Physicians have debated the therapeutic value of the former products and
these are no longer compendial. The alcohol concentration of spirits is rather high, over 60%. Due to the
greater solubility of aromatic or volatile substances in alcohol than in water, spirits can contain a greater
concentration of these materials than the corresponding aromatic waters. When mixed with water or
with an aqueous preparation, the volatile substances present in spirits separate from solution and form
a milky preparation. Salts may be precipitated from their aqueous solutions by the addition of spirits,
due to their lesser solubility in alcoholic liquids. Some spirits show incompatibilities characteristic of the
ingredients they contain. For example, Aromatic Ammonia Spirit cannot be mixed with aqueous
preparations containing alkaloids (e.g., codeine phosphate). An acid–base reaction (ammonia-
phosphate) occurs, and, if the alcohol content of the final mixture is too low, codeine will precipitate.
Spirits should be stored in tight, light-resistant containers in a cool place. This tends to prevent
evaporation and volatilization of either the alcohol or the active principle and to limit oxidative changes.
Spirits may be used pharmaceutically as flavoring agents and medicinally for the therapeutic value of the
aromatic solute. As flavoring agents, they are used to impart the flavor of their solute to other
pharmaceutical preparations. For medicinal purposes, spirits may be taken orally, applied externally, or
used by inhalation, depending upon the particular preparation. When taken orally, they are mixed with
a portion of water to reduce the pungency of the spirit. Depending on the materials utilized, spirits may
be prepared by simple solution, solution by maceration, or distillation. The spirits still listed in the
USP/NF are aromatic ammonia spirit, camphor spirit, compound orange spirit, and peppermint spirit.

Remington

Spirits Spirits are solutions containing one or more active medicaments dissolved in either absolute or
dilute ethanol.

Pharmaceutical%20Compounding

SPIRITS General Notices DEFINITION Spirits are solutions of one or more substances in Ethanol (96 per
cent) or a Dilute Ethanol. They may contain a proportion of Water. STORAGE Spirits should be kept in
well-closed containers of glass or other suitable materials. LABELLING The label states (1) the date after
which the Spirit is not intended to be used; (2) the conditions under which the Spirit should be stored.

BP

Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 2

DEFINITION:

Spirits are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances. Generally, the alcoholic
concentration of spirits is rather high, usually over 60%. Because of the greater solubility of aromatic or
volatile substances in alcohol than in water, spirits can contain a greater concentration of these
materials than the corresponding aromatic waters. When mixed with water or with an aqueous
preparation, the volatile substances present in spirits generally separate from the solution and form a
milky preparation.

Spirits are solutions containing one or more active medicaments dissolved in either absolute or dilute
ethanol.

TYPES:

Depending on the materials, spirits may be prepared by simple solution, solution by maceration, or
distillation.

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

Depending on the materials, spirits may be prepared by simple solution, solution by maceration, by
distillation, Gaseous Solution, by chemical reaction.
STORAGE:

Spirits should be stored in tight, light-resistant containers in a cool place. This tends to prevent
evaporation and volatilization of either the alcohol or the active principle and to limit oxidative changes.

USES:

Spirits may be used pharmaceutically as flavoring agents and medicinally for the therapeutic value of the
aromatic solute. As flavoring agents, they are used to impart the flavor of their solute to other
pharmaceutical preparations. For medicinal purposes, spirits may be taken orally, applied externally, or
used by inhalation, depending upon the particular preparation. When taken orally, they are generally
mixed with a portion of water to reduce the pungency of the spirit.

EXAMPLES:

The spirits most recently official in the USP–NF are aromatic ammonia spirit, camphor spirit, compound
orange spirit, and peppermint spirit.

ROUTES of ADMINISTRATION of SPIRITS:

Taken orally

Applied externally

Used by inhalation  Aromatic spirit of ammonia.