elixir

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Vodka can be used for making elixirs

An elixir (Arabic: الإكسير, Al-Ikseer, effective recipe‎, Greek: ξήριον, medical powder, xerion "powder for drying wounds", from ξηρός, xeros dry^[1][2]) is a clear, sweet-flavored liquid used for medicinal purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure one's ills. When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally.

Types

Non-medicated elixirs

They are used as solvents or vehicles for the preparation of medicated elixirs: aromatic elixirs (USP), isoalcoholic elixirs (NF), or compound benzaldehyde elixirs (NF). Active ingredient dissolved in a solution that contains 15 to 50% by volume of ethyl alcohol.

Medicated elixirs

• Antihistaminic elixirs: used against allergy: chlorampheniramine maleate elixirs (USP), diphenhydramine HCl elixirs.
• Sedative and hypnotic elixirs: sedatives induce drowsiness, and hypnotics induce sleep: pediatric chloral hydrate elixirs.
• Expectorant: used to facilitate productive cough (cough with sputum): terpin hydrate elixirs.
• Miscellaneous: acetaminophen (paracetamol) elixirs, which are used as analgesics.

Composition

An elixir is a hydro-alcoholic solution of at least one active ingredient. The alcohol is mainly used to:

• Solubilize the active ingredient(s) and some excipients
• Retard the crystallization of sugar
• Preserve the finished product
• Provide a sharpness to the taste
• Aid in masking the unpleasant taste of the active ingredient(s)
• Enhance the flavor.

The lowest alcoholic quantity that will dissolve completely the active ingredient(s) and give a clear solution is generally chosen. High concentrations of alcohol give burning taste to the final product.

An elixir may also contain the following excipients:

• Sugar and/or sugar substitutes like the sugar polyols glycerol and sorbitol.
• Preservatives like parabens and bezoates and antioxidants like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and sodium metabisulfite.
• Buffering agents
• Chelating agents like sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
• Flavoring agents and flavor enhancers
• Coloring agents

Storage

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

See also

Look up elixir in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Concoction
• Elixir of life
• Internal alchemy
• Panacea (medicine), mythological remedy that would cure all diseases
• Suspension (chemistry)
• Syrup
• Tincture, in which alcohol is the major solvent and the ingredient is often highly concentrated.

References

1. ^ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=elixir
2. ^ http://www.wordnik.com/words/elixir/etymologies

v d e Routes of administration / Dosage forms Oral Digestive tract (enteral) Solids Pill Tablet Capsule Time release technology Osmotic controlled release capsule (OROS) Liquids Solution Softgel Suspension Emulsion Syrup Elixir Tincture Hydrogel Buccal / Sublabial / Sublingual Solids Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT) Film Lollipop Lozenges Chewing gum Liquids Mouthwash Toothpaste Ointment Oral spray Respiratory tract Solids Smoking device Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) Liquids pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) Nebulizer Vaporizer Gas Oxygen mask Oxygen concentrator Anaesthetic machine Relative analgesia machine Ocular / Otologic / Nasal Nasal spray Ear drops Eye drops Ointment Hydrogel Nanosphere suspension Mucoadhesive microdisc (microsphere tablet) Urogenital Ointment Pessary (vaginal suppository) Vaginal ring Vaginal douche Intrauterine device (IUD) Extra-amniotic infusion Intravesical infusion Rectal (enteral) Ointment Suppository Enema (Solution • Hydrogel) Murphy drip Nutrient enema Dermal Ointment Liniment Paste Film Hydrogel Liposomes Transfersome vesicals Cream Lotion Lip balm Medicated shampoo Dermal patch Transdermal patch Transdermal spray Jet injector Injection / Infusion (into tissue/blood) Skin Intradermal Subcutaneous Transdermal implant Organs Intracavernous Intravitreal Intra-articular or intrasynovial injection Transscleral Central nervous system Intracerebral Intrathecal Epidural Circulatory / Musculoskeletal Intravenous Intracardiac Intramuscular Intraosseous Intraperitoneal Nanocell injection Additional explanation: Mucous membranes are used by the human body to absorb the dosage for all routes of administration, except for "Dermal" and "Injection/Infusion". Administration routes can also be grouped as Topical (local effect) or Systemic (defined as Enteral = Digestive tract/Rectal, or Parenteral = All other routes).