GROUP 3: DEAN, DULLA, GAYTA, HISONA, LAPIS, SADINO

ELIXIRS
Learning Activity No 9

ELIXIRS

• Sweet aromatic colored preparations. Main Ingredients of elixir are ethyl alcohol, water,
glycerin, propylene glycol, flavoring agent, syrup and preservatives. Medicated elixir
contains very potent drug such as antibiotics, antihistamines, sedatives. Flavoring elixirs
used as flavours and vehicles.
• It is a clear, hydroalcoholic solution that is formulated for oral use. The
concentration of alcohol required in the elixir is unique to each formulation and is
sufficient to ensure that all of the other components within the formulation remain
in solution. For this purpose, other polyol co-solvents may be incorporated into the
formulation. The presence of alcohol in elixirs presents a possible problem in
paediatric formulations and, indeed, for those adults who wish to avoid alcohol.

The typical components of an elixir are as follows:

■ Purified water.
■ Alcohol:
This is employed as a co-solvent to ensure solubility of all ingredients. As
highlighted above, the concentration of alcohol varies depending on the formulation.
Generally, the concentration of alcohol is greater than 10% v/v; however, in some
preparations, the concentration of alcohol may be greater than 40% v/v.
■ Polyol co-solvents:
Polyol co-solvents, e.g. propylene glycol, glycerol, may be employed in
pharmaceutical elixirs to enhance the solubility of the therapeutic agent and associated
excipients.

The inclusion of these ingredients enables the concentration of alcohol to be

reduced. As before, the concentration of co-solvents employed is dependent on the
concentration of alcohol present, the type of co-solvent used and the solubility of the other
ingredients in the alcohol/co-solvent blend.

Sweetening agents: The concentration of sucrose in elixirs is less than that in

syrups and accordingly elixirs require the addition of sweetening agents.

Flavours and colours: All pharmaceutical elixirs contain flavours and colours to
increase the palatability and enhance the aesthetic qualities of the formulation. The
presence of alcohol in the formulation allows the pharmaceutical scientist to use flavours
and colours that may perhaps exhibit inappropriate solubility in aqueous solution.
 Terpin Hydrate Elixir

SYNONYMS: Elixir of Terpin Hydrate, Terpini Hydras, Terpin Hyd.,

Cisterpine, Hidrato de terpina

FORMULA:
*Terpin Hydrate 17 g
* Terpinol 430 ml
* Sweet Orange Peel Tincture 20 ml
* Benzaldehyde 0.05 ml
* Glycerin 400 ml
* Syrup 100 ml
*Purified Water q.s.
To make 1000 ml

PREPARATION:

1. Dissolve terpin hydrate in the alcohol; add successively all the other ingredients
and enough purified water to make 1000 ml.
2. Mix well and filter, if necessary, until the product is clear.

Note: The sweet orange peel tincture may be replaced by 1 ml orange oil dissolved in 15
ml alcohol.
Alcoholic content: 39-44%. The high alcoholic content in this elixir is required for the
solution of the terpin hydrate.
Incompatibilities: Dilution of this elixir with water or liquids of low alcohol content
causes precipitation of the terpin hydrate.

ADDITIONAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLwjx3h5UIQ

LABELING INFORMATION:

Method of Preparation: Simple solution with Agitation

Appropriate Container for the Preparation: Tightly closed bottle
Recommended Storage Conditions: Store at room temperature between 59
and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from heat and light.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Category: Medicated Elixir
Use: Expectorant
Label: White (internal)
 Iso Alcoholic Elixir
SYNONYMS: Elixir Iso-alcoholicum, Iso-Elixir
FORMULA:
Low- alcoholic elixir +
High- alcoholic elixir ++
PREPARATION: Calculate a measured volume of each and mix well.

LOW-ALCOHOLIC ELIXIR
*Compound Orange Spirit 10 ml
* Alcohol 100 ml
* Glycerin 200 ml
* Sucrose 320 g
*Purified Water q.s.
To make 1000 ml
HIGH-ALCOHOLIC ELIXIR
*Compound Orange Spirit 4 ml
* Saccharin 3 g
* Glycerin 200 ml
*Purified Water q.s.
To make 1000 ml
Alcohol Content: 73-78%
USES: Intended as a general vehicle for various medicaments that require solvents
of different alcohol strengths.
When it is specified in a prescription, the proportion of its two ingredients to be used is
that which will produce a solution of the required alcohol strength.

LOW-ALCOHOLIC HIGH-ALCOHOLIC
ELIXIR ELIXIR

Compound Compound
Orange Spirit Orange Spirit
10 ml 4 ml

Alcohol 100
Saccharin 3 g
ml

Glycerin 200 Glycerin 200

ml ml

Purified Water
Sucrose 320 g q.s. To make
1000 ml

Purified Water
q.s.

To make 1000
ml
 ADDITIONAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y20mEyxHBOQ

LABELING INFORMATION:

Method of Preparation: Simple Solution

Appropriate Container for the Preparation: Narrow mouthed, screw capped,
colorless plain bottle
Description of Finished Product: Clear, colorless alcoholic solution
Recommended Storage Conditions: Store in place not above 40 degrees Celsius
Category: Medicated Elixir
Uses: Vehicle, solvent
Label: White label (internal)
 LEARNING EVALUATION:
1. Differentiate low alcoholic and high alcoholic elixir.
- High Alcoholic Elixir contains 73% to 78% of alcohol while Low Alcoholic Elixir contains only
8% to 10% of alcohol. Low Alcoholic Elixirs, those with 10-12% alcohol content specifically, are
usually self-preserving and do not require addition of antimicrobial agent or their preservation.

2. Up to how many percent of we can use alcohol in the preparation of elixirs?

- In preparing elixirs, the concentration of the alcohol should be 5-40% which is enough to make
a clear solution. Additionally in elixirs, fermentation and mold growth are inhibited when it
contains more than 20% alcohol propylene glycol, or glycerol.

3. Research on how to adjust low alcoholic to high alcoholic alcohol with

corresponding suitable vehicle for preparations.
It will depend on the amount of aqueous solution that is added to the alcoholic solution. When
the aqueous solution is added to the alcoholic solution with constant stirring and make up the
volume with the vehicle specified in the formulation, the product may not be clear due to the
separation of some of the flavoring agents because the alcoholic strength is reduced.

4. Are elixirs for internal use or external use?

- Elixirs are meant to be used internally. It is carefully measured and administered into the
mouth.

5. How are elixirs used in ancient times? Describe.

- Elixirs are potions believed to have restorative and curative powers. The term was first used by
alchemists to describe the substance (also known as the philosophers' stone) that was believed
to transmute base metal into gold, cure disease, and promise immortality.

6. What is the appropriate container for elixir?

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

REFERENCES:

https://uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/media/lectures/4/4_2018_11_05!07_09_22_PM.pdf

https://www.slideshare.net/MohammadZainIdrees/pharmaceutical-elixirs

https://www.preservearticles.com/short-essays/here-is-your-short-essay-on-elixirs/16960

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63819/elixir-oral/details

https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/food-and-drink/food-and-cooking/elixir