Name:
Pharmaceutical Dosage
Chapter 13: Solutions
Elixirs
 Clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solutions for oral use
 Less viscous since they contain a lower proportion of sugar
and consequently less effective than syrups
 Maintain both water soluble and alcohol soluble
components in solutions than aqueous syrups
 Excipients:
 Sweetened with sucrose or sucrose syrups, some
sorbitol, glycerin or artificial sweeteners
 High alcoholic content requires artificial
sweeteners usually saccharin
 Flavorants to increase palatability and coloring
agents to enhance their appearance
Kinds of Elixirs
 Medicated
 Elixir with active ingredient
 Example: terpin hydrate elixir
 Non-medicated
 Useful to the pharmacist's in extemporaneous
filling of Rx involving:
 Addition of a therapeutic agent
 Dilution of an existing medicated elixir
 Example: iso-alcoholic elixir
 Advantages of elixirs over the counterpart solid dosage
form:
 Flexibility and ease of administration
 Disadvantage
 For patients who choose to avoid alcohol
Preparation of Elixirs
 By simple solution with agitation
 Administration of two or more liquid ingredients
Kinds of elixirs
 Antihistamine elixirs
 Useful in the symptomatic relief of certain allergies
disorder
 Other adverse effects include dryness of the nose,
throat and mouth, dizziness and disturbed
concentration
 Digoxin elixir
 Contain 4.5 to 5.25mg of digoxin per 100ml of elixir
 Oral adult dose as cardiotonic agent: 1.5 mg on initial
and 0.5 as maintenance therapy
 Obtained from leaves of digitalis lanata
Tinctures
 Hydroalcoholic solution prepared from vegetable materials
or from chemical substances
 Have a potency of 10-20%
 Prepared by simple solution
 Alcohol content ranging from 15-80%
 Protects solution from microbial growth
 Never mixed with liquids because the solute may
precipitate
 Undergo photochemical changes: exposure to light
 Tightly stoppered
 Stored in a light-resistant containers
Specific Methods of Preparation of Tincture
 Simple solution
 Chemical substances as active ingredient
 Example: iodine tincture, thiomerosal Tincture
 Percolation
 "process P"
 Example: belladonna tincture
 Maceration
 "process M"
Compound Benzoin Tincture
 Prepared by maceration in alcohol of 10% benzoin and
lesser amount of aloe, storax, and tolu balsam totaling
about 24% of starting material
 Used as a protectant to toughen skin in treatment of bed
sores, ulcers cracked nipples and tissues of the lips and
anus
 Serves as delivery vehicle of podophyllum in treatment of
visceral warts
Thimerosal Tincture
 Similar with thimerosal topical solution except that sodium
chloride and sodium borate are absent from the tincture and
the vehicle of the tincture is water, acetone and about 50%
alcohol
 Monoethanolamine and ethylenediamine are used as
stabilizers
 Effective because of its chelating action on metallic
impurities that may be present at time of preparation
Iodine Tincture
 Sodium iodide reacts with iodine to form sodium triiodide
which prevents formation of ethyl iodide.
 NaI + I2 --> NaI3
 Ethyl iodide will decrease the anti-microbial property of
tincture
 NaI: solubilizing agent
 Prepared by dissolving 2% iodine crystals and 2.4%
sodium iodide
 Advantage: water solution
 Popular local anti-infective agent
 Reddish brown stain on the skin
 Local anti-infective agent: brownish red color stains on the
skin
Topical Solutions and Tinctures
 Topical solution
 Employed as an aqueous vehicle
 Prepared by simple solution dissolving some by
chemical reaction and maceration
 Topical tinctures
 Alcoholic vehicle
Aluminum Acetate Topical Solution
 Colorless and has a faint odor and sweetish, astringent taste
used in dermatologic lotions, creams and pastes
Aluminum Subacetate Topical Solution
 Ratio of aluminum oxide to acetic acid
 Subacetate solution: 1:2:3:5
 Acetate solution: 1:3:5:2
 Subacetate is stronger of the two.
 Used as astringent wash and wet dressing
Calcium Hydroxide Topical Solution (Lime Water)
 More soluble in cold water than hot water
 Stored in well-filled tightly stoppered containers to
determine the absorption of carbon monoxide and kept in
cool places
 Only supernatant is dispersed
 Used as astringent
Sprays
 Aqueous or oleaginous solutions in the form of coarse
droplets or as finely divided solids applied topically to
nasopharyngeal tract or to the skin
 Break up a solution into small particles effectively sprayed
of to facilitate the spraying of a powder
 Advantage over conventional spray
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  Prevents drawback contamination of nasal fluids into
the bottle after administration
Vaginal and Rectal Solutions
 Vaginal douches
 For irrigation and cleansing of the vagina
 Rectal solutions
 Retention enemas
 Corticosteroids or continuous drip as adjunctive
treatment of some patients with ulcerative colitis
 Evacuation enemas
 Used to cleanse the bowel Miscellaneous Solutions
 Agents: solution of sodium phosphate and sodium
biphosphate, glycerin and docusate potassium and
light mineral oil
Component of Douche Powders
 Boric acid or sodium borate
 Astringents: (e.g.) potassium, alum, ammonium alum, zinc
sulfate
 Antimicrobials: (e.g.) oxyquinolone sulfate, povidone
iodine
 Quaternary ammonium compounds: (e.g.) benzethonium
chloride
 Detergents: (e.g) sodium lauryl sulfate
 Oxidizing agents: sodium perborate
 Salts: (e.g.) sodium citrate, sodium chloride
 Aromatics: (e.g.) menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, methyl
salicylate, phenol
Topical Oral (Dental) Solutions
 Benzocaine: topical anesthetic
 For temporary relief of pain, soreness, and
irritation in the mouth associated with teeth,
orthodontic appliances new or poorly fitting
dentures and canker sores
Spirits
 Camphorated parachlorophenol: dental anti-infective
 Used in dentistry by sterilization of deep root
canals
 Carbamide peroxide topical solution: dental anti-infective
 Chemo-mechanical cleansing and darkening
agent
 Cetylpyridinium chloride solution and cetylpyridinium
chloride lozenges: local anti-infective
 A freshening mouth cleanser Methods of Preparations of Spirits
 Have benzyl alcohol as a local anesthetic in
soothing throat irritations
 Erythrosine sodium topical solution and erythrosine sodium
soluble tablets
 Solution applied to teeth to reveal remaining
plaque tablet same affect but not swallowed
 Eugenol: dental analgesic
 Applied topically to dental cavities and dental
protective
 Pale yellow solution having an aromatic odor of
clove and a spicy taste Non-aqueous Solutions
 Lidocaine oral spray: topical dental anesthetic
 Nystatin oral suspension: antifungal
 For oral fungal infections by retaining in the
mouth as long as possible before swallowing
 Saliva substitutes: electrolytes in a carboxymethylcellulose
base
 Relief of dry mouth and throat in xerostomia
 Sodium fluoride oral solution and tablets: dental caries
prophylactic
 Applied to the teeth or when drinking water that
does not contain adequate fluoride, a dilute
Types of Liniments
solution may be swallowed
 Tablets containing sodium fluoride 1.1 or 2.2 mg
are chewed or swallowed as required
 Sodium fluoride and phosphoric acid gel and sodium
fluoride and phosphoric acid topical solution: dental caries
prophylactic
 Gel and solutions applied to teeth
 Triamcinolone acetonide dental paste: topical anti-
inflammatory agent
 Applied to the oral mucous membranes as a 0.1%
paste
 Aromatic waters
 Clear, aqueous solution saturated with volatile oil
or other aromatic or volatile substances
 Prepared from a number of volatile substances
including orange flower oil, peppermint oil, rose
oil, anise oil, spearmint oil, wintergreen oil,
camphor and chloroform
 Very low solubility in water
 Used for perfuming and for flavoring
 Diluted acids
 Aqueous solutions prepared by diluting the
corresponding concentrated acids with purified
water
 Concentrated acid expressed in: percent weight to
weight (w/w%): number of grams of solute per
100g of solution
 Concentrated HCl
 Not less than 15g and not more than 38g solute
per 100g of acid (36.5%w/w in strength)
 Diluted HCl
 9.3g and 10.3g solute per 100ml solution
(10%w/v in strength)
 Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances
with or without medicinal substances
 High alcoholic concentration: over 60%
 Pharmaceutically as flavoring agent for therapeutic value of
the aromatic solute
 Prepared by simple solution, solution by maceration or
distillation
 Simple solution
 Aromatic ammonia spirit
 Maceration
 Peppermint spirit
 Chemical reaction
 Ethyl nitrite spirit
 Distillation
 Brandy: distillation of fermented fruit of grapes
 Whisky: distillation of fermented malt cereal
grains
 Liniments
 Embrocation
 Medicinal substitution intended to be rubbed on
the skin
 Alcohol as a vehicle: useful when rubefacient,
counterirritant or penetrating action is desired
 Oleaginous liniments are less irritating to the skin
than alcoholic liniments
 For external use (not to be applied to the broken
skin and open wounds)
 Applied with rubbing
 Alcoholic
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  Faster effect
 Ability to penetrate skin faster
 To relieve pain
 Example: Efficascent Oil
 Oily
 Milder action than alcoholic liniment
 Example: Omega Pain
Non-aqueous Solutions
 Collodions
 A clear or slightly opalescent viscous liquid prepared
by dissolving pyroxylin in a 3:1 solvent mixture of
ether and alcohol with or without added medicinal
substances
 For external use: applied to skin with a fine camel’s
hair brush or glass applicator, the solvent rapidly
evaporates, leaving a filmy residue of pyroxylin
 Forms a protectant film on application to the skin and
volatilization of the solvent
 Highly volatile and flammable
 Useful in holding the edges of an incised wound
together
 Flexible collodion
 Prepared by adding 2% camphor (makes product
water proof) and 3% castor oil
 Castor oil is the cause of its flexibility
 Apply the coating over bandages or stitched
incisions to make them water proof and to protect
them from external stress
 Salicylic collodion
 10% solution of salicylic acid in flexible
collodion
 Used for its keratolytic effects, especially in
removal of corns from the toes
 Irritates normal healthy skin
 Pyroxylin
 Soluble gun cotton, collodion cotton
 Obtained by the action of a mixture of nitric and
sulfuric acids on cotton, consists chiefly of cellulose
tetranitrate
 1 part soluble in 25 parts of a mixture of 3 volumes of
ether and 1 volume of alcohol
 Also soluble in acetone and glacial acetic acid
 Extraction
 Withdrawal of desired constituents from crude drugs
through the use of selected solvents in which the
desired selected constituents are soluble
 Crude drugs: vegetable or animal drugs that have
undergone no other processes than collodion, cleaning
and drying
 Extractives: product of extraction containing varying
numbers of constituents
 In drug extraction:
 Menstruum: solvent or solvent mixture
o Hydroalcoholic mixture: inherent protection
against microbial contamination and helps
prevent separation of extracted material on
standing
o Glycerin
 Cosolvent with water or alcoholic
menstruum and prevent inert materials
from precipitating upon standing
 Prevents separation of lannin and
tannin oxidation products in extractives
 Contributes to the stability of
pharmaceutical extractive
 Marc: plant residue exhausted
Example Preparations Prepared by Extraction Processes
 Fluid extract
 Too potent, too bitter tasting, unpalatable to be
accepted by the patient
 Modified by flavorants or sweetening agents
 Not used in medical practice
 Liquid preparations of vegetable drugs by
percolation
 Use: drug source component of other liquid
dosage
 3 processes:
 Process A
 Entails exhaustive percolation with an alcoholic
or hydroalcoholic menstruum
 Example: senna fluidextract
 Process B or D
 Used in the preparation of fluidextract with
boiling water as the menstruum and alcohol
generally added to the concentrated percolate as
preservative.
 A heat resistant or metallic percolator is used.
 Example: Aromatic cascara sagrada
 Process C and E
 Intended to facilitate total drug extraction by
collecting 1000ml of percolate from each 1000g
of drug uses long marrow column of drug and
percolation under pressure
Official Preparation
 Glycyrrhiza fluidextract: Licorice Root
 Fluidextract: flavoring agent
 Eriodietyon fluidextract : Yerba Santa
 Fluidextract: cathartic
 Cascara Sagrada Fluidextract: Rhammus Pushiana
Fluidextract
 Aromatic Cascara Sagrada Fluidextract
 Senna Fluidextract – Fluidextractum Sennae
Example Preparations Prepared by Extraction Processes
 Extracts
 Concentrated preparations of vegetable or animal
drugs obtained by the removal of the active
constituents of the respective drugs with suitable
solvent
 Syrupy
 Add solvent system to drug, either macerate or
percolate
 Obtain through evaporation
 2 to 6 times more potent than crude drug
 Extract are made in 3 forms:
 Syrupy semiliquid
o 20 ml of solvent system is remained
removing all or most of the menstruum
 Pilular plastic consistency
o Plastic consistency, nearly all solvent
has evaporated
o Preferred in compounding a caustic
dosage form: ointment, paste, or pliable
material facilitates compounding
 Powdered extract: dry extract by removal of all
menstruum
o Vegetable drug material which are
starchy
o Preferred in compounding of powders
capsules and tablets
Extractive
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  Drug products obtained by extracting animal or vegetable
drug with suitable solvent system
 Methods of preparation:
 Maceration: soaking in solvent
 Decoction: boiling for 15 minutes
 Percolation: soaking using percolator
 Infusion: hot or cold water
 Digestion: applying gentle heat
Nasal Decongestant Solution
 Treatment of rhinitis of the common cold, for sinusitis

Table 13.8: Examples of Medicated Elixirs by Category

Elixir Commercial Product Comments
Adrenocortical steroid
 Dexamethasone Dexamethasone Elixir Synthethic analogue of hydrocortisone, about 30 times
more potent. Commercial elixir is packaged with a
calibrated dropper for accurate measurement of small
doses; intended primarily for children; also has utility
for adults with trouble swallowing tablets. Used for
many indications: rheumatoid arthritis, skin disease,
allergies, inflammatory conditions. Commercial product
contains 5% alcohol.
Analgesic, antipyretic
 Acetaminophen Children’s Tylenol Elixir Reduction of pain and lowering of fever particularly in
patients sensitive to or unable to take aspirin. Elixir
especially useful for pediatric patients and is alcohol
free.
Anticholinergic,antispasmodic
 Hyoscyamine sulfate Levsin Elixir Used to control gastric secretions, visceral spasm,
hypermotility, abdominal cramps. Commercial product
contains 20%
Antihistamine
 Diphenhydramine HCl Elixir Diphenhydramine HCl Elixir Antihistamines are used for a variety of allergic
reactions e.g. perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis,
allergic skin manifestations of urticaria. Reactions of
insect bites. Commercial product contains 5.6% alcohol.
Antipsychotic
 Fluphenazine HCl Fluphenazine HCl Elixir Management of psychotic disorders.
Cardiotonic
 Digoxin Lanoxin Pediatric Elixir Among other effects, increase force of myocardial
contraction. Used in congestive heart failure, atrial
fibrillation, other cardiac conditions. Commercial
product contains 10% alcohol.
Sedative, hypnotics
 Butabarbital sodium Butisol sodium Elixir In low dosage, sedatives;in higher dosage,hypnotics.
Butabarbital sodium elixir contains 7% alcohol;
 Phenobarbital Phenobarbital Elixir Phenobarbital elixir contains 14% alcohol.

Table 13.9: Examples of Solutions Applied to Skin

Solution Corresponding Commercial Vehicle Category and Comments
Product
Aluminum acetate - Aqueous Astringent
Aluminum subacetate - Aqueous Astringent
Calcium hydroxide - Aqueous Astringent
(limewater)
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Hibiclens Skin Cleanser Skin wound and general skin cleanser, surgical
(Stuart) scrub, preoperative skin preparation. Effective for
gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Clindamycin phosphate Cleocin T topical Solution Isopropyl alcohol, water Treatmentof acne vulgaris.
(Pharmacia & Upjohn)
Clotrimazole Lotrimin Solution (Schering) PEG 400 Antifungal
Coal tar (liquor carbonis - Alcohol Antieczematic; antipsoriatic
detergens; LCD)
Erythromycin Erymax Topical Solution Polyethylene glycol/ acetone/ Treatment of acne vulgaris.
(Allergan Helbert) alcohol
Fluocinolone acetonide Synalar Topical Solution Propylene glycol Adrenocortical steroid (topical anti-
(Syntex) inflammatory)
Fluorouracil Efudex Topical Solution Propylene glycol Antineoplastic (actinic keratoses)
(Roche)

4
 Hydrogen peroxide - Aqueous Topical anti-infective
Hydroquinone Melanex Topical Solution Water, alcohol, propylene temporary bleaching of hyperpigmented skin,
(Neutrogena Dermatologies) glycol e.g., chloasma, melasma
Minoxidil Rogaine Topical Solution Alcohol, water, propylene Long-term topical treatment of male pattern
(Pharmacia & Upjohn) glycol baldness by stimulating hair growth.
Povidone iodine Betadine Solution (Purdue Aqueous Topical anti-infective
Frederick)
Tolnaftate Tinactin Solution (Schering- Polyethylene glycol Topical antifungal
Plough)

Table 13.10: Examples of Tinctures Applied to the Skin

Tincture Vehicle Category and Comments
Green Soap Tincture Alcohol Detergent. Also contains 2% lavender oil as
perfume.
Iodine Tincture Alcohol, water Topical anti-infective
Compound Benzoin Tincture Alcohol Topical protectant. Prepared by maceration in
alcohol.

Pharmaceutical Dosage
Chapter 13 – Quiz: Try it!

Identify:
(1) _______________ Clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solutions for oral use
(2) _______________ Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances with or without medicinal substances
(3) _______________ Clear, aqueous solution saturated with volatile oil or other aromatic or volatile substances
(4) _______________ Aqueous solutions prepared by diluting the corresponding concentrated acids with purified water
(5) _______________ Drug products obtained by extracting animal or vegetable drug with suitable solvent system
(6) _______________ Concentrated preparations of vegetable or animal drugs obtained by the removal of the active constituents of the
respective drugs with suitable solvent
(7) _______________ Aqueous or oleaginous solutions in the form of coarse droplets or as finely divided solids applied topically to
nasopharyngeal tract or to the skin
(8) _______________ Hydroalcoholic solution prepared from vegetable materials or from chemical substances
(9) _______________ Treatment of rhinitis of the common cold, for sinusitis

Matching Type:
Set 1
(A) Calcium Hydroxide Topical Solution (Lime Water)
(B) Compound Benzoin Tincture
(C) Thimerosal Tincture
(D) Aluminum Acetate Topical Solution
(E) Iodine Tincture
(F) Aluminum Subacetate Topical Solution
(G) Vaginal douches
(H) Evacuation enemas
(I) Rectal solutions

(a) ___ Serves as delivery vehicle of podophyllum in treatment of visceral warts

(b) ___ Used as a protectant to toughen skin in treatment of bed sores, ulcers cracked nipples and tissues of the lips and anus
(c) ___ Stored in well-filled tightly stoppered containers to determine the absorption of carbon monoxide and kept in cool places
(d) ___ For irrigation and cleansing of the vagina
(e) ___ Retention enemas
(f) ___ Popular local anti-infective agent
(g) ___ Colorless and has a faint odor and sweetish, astringent taste used in dermatologic lotions, creams and pastes
(h) ___ Monoethanolamine and ethylenediamine are used as stabilizers
(i) ___ Effective because of its chelating action on metallic impurities that may be present at time of preparation
5
 (j) ___ Used as astringent
(k) ___ Used as astringent wash and wet dressing
(l) ___ Used to cleanse the bowel

Set 2
(A) Aromatics
(B) Astringents
(C) Antimicrobials
(D) Quaternary ammonium compounds
(E) Detergents
(F) Oxidizing agents
(G) Salts
(H) Component of douche powders

(a) ___ Oxyquinolone sulfate, povidone iodine

(b) ___ Boric acid or sodium borate
(c) ___ Sodium citrate, sodium chloride
(d) ___ Benzethonium chloride
(e) ___ Sodium perborate
(f) ___ Sodium lauryl sulfate
(g) ___ Menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, phenol
(h) ___ Potassium, alum, ammonium alum, zinc sulfate

Set 3
(A) Benzocaine
(B) Camphorated parachlorophenol
(C) Carbamide peroxide topical solution
(D) Cetylpyridinium chloride solution and cetylpyridinium chloride lozenges
(E) Erythrosine sodium topical solution and erythrosine sodium soluble tablets
(F) Eugenol
(G) Lidocaine oral spray
(H) Nystatin oral suspension
(I) Saliva substitutes
(J) Sodium fluoride oral solution and tablets
(K) Triamcinolone acetonide dental paste
(L) Sodium fluoride and phosphoric acid gel and sodium fluoride and phosphoric acid topical solution

(a) ___ Topical anti-inflammatory agent

(b) ___ Topical anesthetic
(c) ___ Electrolytes in a carboxymethylcellulose base
(d) ___ Dental anti-infective
(e) ___ Local anti-infective
(f) ___ Dental caries prophylactic
(g) ___ Dental analgesic
(h) ___ Topical dental anesthetic

Odd Man Out: Put a check that does not belong to the group.
(A) ___ Adrenocortical steroid ___ Children’s Tylenol ___ Elixir ___ Dexamethasone Elixir
(B) ___ Phenobarbital ___ Butisol Sodium Elixir ___ Hypnotics ___ Fluphenazine HCl
(C) ___ Antipsychotic ___ Hyoscyamine sulfate ___ Anticholinergic ___ Levsin Elixir
(D) ___ Anticholinergic ___ Children’s Tylenol Elixir ___ Antipyretic ___ Acetaminophen
(E) ___ Detergent ___ Alcohol, water ___ Green Soap ___ Tincture Alcohol