Elixir

For other uses, see Elixir (disambiguation).

An elixir is a sweet liquid used for medical purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure one's illness.^[1] When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally.

Advertisement for Elixir d'Anvers

Label from a bottle of Elixir Raspail, claiming its effectiveness against epidemic diseases

Etymology

The word was introduced in late Middle English, through Latin from the Arabic الإكسير (al-ʾiksīr), which in turn is the Arabization of the Ancient Greek ξήριον (xērion) 'powder for drying wounds' (from ξηρός (xēros) 'dry').^[1] For centuries, elixir primarily meant an ingredient used in alchemy, either referring to a liquid which purportedly converts lead to gold, or a substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.

Types

Non-medicated elixirs

These are used as solvents or vehicles for the preparation of medicated elixirs. Active ingredients are dissolved in a 15–⁠50% by volume solution of ethyl alcohol:

• aromatic elixirs (USP)
• isoalcoholic elixirs (NF)
• compound benzaldehyde elixirs (NF)

Medicated elixirs

These include:

• antihistaminic elixirs used against allergy, such as chlorpheniramine maleate (USP) or diphenhydramine HCl
• sedative and hypnotic elixirs, the former to induce drowsiness, the latter to induce sleep
• pediatric elixirs such as chloral hydrate
• expectorant elixirs used to facilitate productive cough (i.e. cough with sputum), such as terpin hydrate

East Asian vitamin drinks

Daily non-alcoholic non-caffeinated 'vitamin drinks' have been popular in East Asia since the 1950s, with Oronamin from Otsuka Pharmaceutical perhaps the market leader. Packaged in brown light-proof bottles, these drinks have the reputation of being enjoyed by old men and other health-conscious individuals. Counterparts exist in South Korea and China.

Western energy drinks typically have caffeine and are targeted at a younger demographic, with colorful labels and printed claims of increased athletic/daily performance.

Pseudomedicinal drinks

See Patent medicine.

Composition

Poster for Elixir Mondet, 1899

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 benzoates 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 only be stored in a tightly closed, light resistant container away from direct heat and sunlight.

See also

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