Nonaqueous solutions
•Solution contains minor quantities of toxic nonaqueous
solvents (acetone, benzene, petroleum ether).
•External nonaqueous solutions;
May contain ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols, various
ethers or esters.
•Internal nonaqueous solutions;
May contain ethanol, glycol, propylene glycol certain oils, liquid paraffin or
appreciable quantity of chloroform.
Non-aqueous solutions may be classified into4 groups;
nAlcoholic
or hydro-alcoholic solutions;
•e.g., elixirs and spirits
nThe
ethereal solutions;
•E.g., the collodions
nThe
glycerin solutions;
•E.g., glycerites
nThe
oleaginous;
•E.g., the liniments,
medicated oils, oleo vitamins, sprays, and toothache drops.
1. Elixirs
Are
clear, pleasantly flavored, sweetened hydro-alcoholic liquids intended for oral
use.
nThey may medicated or non-medicated
(vehicles) elixirs.
nThey
are distinguished from other classes by presence of sugar and alcohol in the
finished product.
nThe
alcoholic content in Elixirs varies greatly (4 –40 %), from elixirs containing
only a small quantity, to those that contain a considerable portion as a
necessary aid to solubility.
nThe
sweating agents used mainly sucrose and saccharin.
nNon-medicated elixirs
•Aromatic
Elixir USP
–contains
21 to 23% ethanol and 31 % sugar.
•Compound
Benzaldehyde Elixir NF
–contains
3 to 5 % ethanol.
•Medicated elixirs
Classifed according to their
therapeutic use
•Antihistaminic elixir
–Chlorpheniramine maleate
elixir usp
•Sedative elixir
–Phenobarbiton elixir
•Expectorant
–Terpine hydrate elixir NF
•Digestive elixir
–Pepsin elixir
•Incompatibilities of elixirs:
1-Alcohol in elixir precipitates
tracaganth, acacia, agar and inorganic salts if added to aqueous solution.
2-if water is added to elixir,
partial precipitation may occur due to insitu dilution of alcohol in the final
preparation.
3-Elixir
cause separation of extractive matter from tincture & fluid extract due to
reduction of alcohol content.
