The major difference between elixir and linctus is that the elixir is a pleasantly flavored, clear liquid formulation usually contains water and alcohol that is used for therapeutic purpose, whereas linctus is thick, sweeter and syrup-based formulation generally used for the treatment of cough.
The dosage form of a pharmaceutical product refers to its way of delivery into a specific site of the body. Generally, based on the physical properties the dosage forms are classified as solid, liquid, semi-solid, and gaseous dosage forms. Based on the route of drug administration the dosage forms are classified as oral, parenteral (Injection), sublingual, buccal, and topical route. Examples of dosage forms include tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, gels, creams, pastes, syrups, liquids, drops, suspensions, lozenges, aerosols, sprays, suppositories, inhalers, and mouthwash, etc.
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Oral liquids are homogeneous liquid preparations, usually a solution, a suspension, or emulsion of one or more active ingredients in a suitable liquid base. They are formulated to release the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) after oral administration to achieve quick and complete systemic drug absorption compared to the solid oral dosage forms. Liquid formulations are better for those patients who have difficulty swallowing solid medicines, have higher flexibility in dosing, have faster absorption, and can mask the bitter or unpleasant taste and odor.
Elixir:
Elixir is a clear, sweetened oral liquid that contains one or more drugs that dissolve in a suitable base that has sucrose and also contains a high proportion of ethanol. When the active ingredients do not dissolve in water alone, alcohol and water are commonly used as solvents. They normally contain flavoring and coloring agents in addition to the drug to increase patient acceptance. Elixirs are divided into two categories: medicated elixirs and non-medicated elixirs. They usually contain alcohol, which is used in therapeutic either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring.
Linctus:
Linctus is a viscous, sticky, monophasic liquid preparation that contains high concentrations of syrup that are used to be swallowed orally for cough relief. It is a sticky preparation containing drugs that have local effects on the mucous membrane of the throat and they also have demulcent, sedative, or expectorant action. Linctus must be taken in small doses in order to have the maximum and prolonged effect of the drug and should be swallowed slowly without diluting it with water.
Difference between elixir and linctus:
- Elixir is a clear, sweetened oral liquid formulation, whereas linctus is a viscous, sticky, monophasic liquid preparation.
- An elixir must have high alcohol content in order to be formulated, while linctus can be made with or without ethanol.
- Elixir is usually alcohol and water-based formulation, while linctus syrup-based formulation.
- Elixir is watery preparation, while linctus is viscous and sticky preparation.
- Elixir is usually active in the stomach or gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), while linctus is usually active in the throat.
- The elixir has a thin consistency, while the linctus has a thick consistency.
- Elixir masks the unpleasant taste and odor of drugs are less effective, while linctus masks the unpleasant taste and odor of medicinal agents better than elixir.
- The elixir can be taken with dilution, while the linctus needs to be taken without dilution.
- The elixir does not need to be swallowed slowly, while the linctus must be swallowed slowly.
- Elixir may not provide prolonged effects of medication, whereas linctus may provide prolonged effects of medication due to viscous and thickening.
- Elixir is a clear solution, while linctus is an opaque (may not be clear) liquid.
- Elixir is less sweet than linctus, while linctus is sweeter than elixir.
- Elixirs have a lower viscosity than linctus, while linctus has a higher viscosity than elixir.
Elixir vs Linctus
The similarity between linctus and elixir:
The major similarity between linctus and elixir is that they are both liquid oral preparations that contain one or more drugs that dissolve in a suitable base for medicated and non-medicated purposes.
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