# Elixir

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{{Short description|Sweet-flavored liquid used for medicinal purposes}}
{{Other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Élixir Raspail devenu élixir Angelo.jpg|thumb|Label from a bottle of Elixir Raspail, claiming its effectiveness against [epidemic diseases](/source/epidemic_diseases)]]

An  '''elixir''' is a sweet liquid used for medical purposes, to be taken orally and intended to cure one's illness.<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Elixir |volume=9 |pages=281–282}}</ref> When used as a [pharmaceutical preparation](/source/dosage_form), an elixir contains at least one [active ingredient](/source/active_ingredient) designed to be taken orally.

==Etymology==
The word was introduced in late [Middle English](/source/Middle_English), through [Latin](/source/Medieval_Latin) from the [Arabic](/source/Arabic_Language) {{lang|ar|الإكسير}} ({{Transliteration|ar|al-ʾiksīr}}), which in turn is the [Arabization](/source/Arabization) of the [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) {{lang|grc|ξήριον}} ({{Transliteration|grc|xērion}}) {{gloss|powder for drying wounds}} (from {{lang|grc|ξηρός}} ({{Transliteration|grc|xēros}}) {{gloss|dry}}).<ref name=EB1911/> For centuries, ''elixir'' primarily meant an ingredient used in [alchemy](/source/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](/source/Elixir_of_immortality). That which would indefinitely prolong life (more fully ''elixir vitae'', "elixir of life") was considered to be closely related to, or even identical with, the substance for transmuting metals.<ref>Encyclopedia Britannica, "Elixir"</ref>

==Types==
=== Non-medicated elixirs ===
These are used as [solvents](/source/solvents) or vehicles for the preparation of medicated elixirs. Active ingredients are dissolved in a 15–⁠50% by volume solution of [ethyl alcohol](/source/Ethanol):
*aromatic elixirs ([USP](/source/United_States_Pharmacopeia))
*isoalcoholic elixirs ([NF](/source/Formulary_(pharmacy)))
*compound [benzaldehyde](/source/benzaldehyde) elixirs (NF)

=== Medicated elixirs ===
These include:
* [antihistaminic](/source/antihistaminic) elixirs used against [allergy](/source/allergy), such as [chlorpheniramine maleate](/source/chlorpheniramine_maleate) (USP) or [diphenhydramine HCl](/source/diphenhydramine_HCl)
* [sedative](/source/sedative) and [hypnotic](/source/hypnotic) elixirs, the former to induce drowsiness, the latter to induce sleep
*pediatric elixirs such as [chloral hydrate](/source/chloral_hydrate)
*[expectorant](/source/expectorant) elixirs used to facilitate [productive cough](/source/productive_cough) (i.e. cough with [sputum](/source/sputum)), such as [terpin hydrate](/source/terpin_hydrate)

=== East Asian vitamin drinks ===
Daily non-alcoholic non-caffeinated 'vitamin drinks' have been popular in East Asia since the 1950s, with [Oronamin](/source/Oronamin) from [Otsuka Pharmaceutical](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Patent_medicine).

==Composition==
thumb|Poster for Elixir Mondet, 1899
An elixir is a [hydro](/source/water)-[alcohol](/source/ethanol)ic 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 [excipient](/source/excipient)s:
* [Sugar](/source/Sugar) and/or [sugar substitute](/source/sugar_substitute)s like the [sugar polyols](/source/Sugar_alcohol) [glycerol](/source/glycerol) and [sorbitol](/source/sorbitol).
* [Preservative](/source/Preservative)s like [paraben](/source/paraben)s and [benzoates](/source/benzoic_acid) and [antioxidant](/source/antioxidant)s like [butylated hydroxytoluene](/source/butylated_hydroxytoluene) (BHT) and [sodium metabisulfite](/source/sodium_metabisulfite).
* [Buffering agent](/source/Buffering_agent)s
* [Chelating agent](/source/Chelating_agent)s like [sodium](/source/sodium) [ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid](/source/ethylenediaminetetraacetic_acid) ([EDTA](/source/EDTA))
* [Flavoring agent](/source/Flavoring_agent)s and [flavor enhancer](/source/flavor_enhancer)s
* [Coloring agents](/source/Color)

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

==See also==
{{Wiktionary|elixir}}
* [Brompton cocktail](/source/Brompton_cocktail)
* [Concoction](/source/Preparation_(disambiguation))
* [Elixir of life](/source/Elixir_of_life)
* [Internal alchemy](/source/Internal_alchemy)
* [Energy drink](/source/Energy_drink)
* [Soft drink](/source/Soft_drink)
* [Panacea (medicine)](/source/Panacea_(medicine)), mythological remedy that would cure all diseases
* [Suspension (chemistry)](/source/Suspension_(chemistry))
* [Syrup](/source/Syrup)
* [Spagyric](/source/Spagyric)
* [Herbal tea](/source/Herbal_tea)
* [Tincture](/source/Tincture), in which alcohol is the major solvent and the ingredient is often highly concentrated.
* [Theriac](/source/Theriac)
* [Hot toddy](/source/Hot_toddy)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Dosage forms|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:Drug delivery devices
Category:Dosage forms

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Elixir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elixir) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elixir?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.