Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Difference between syrup and drops

The major difference between syrup and drops is the concentration and composition of the medication. Drops have a lower dosage of the drug, while syrup has a higher dosage of the drug.

Pharmaceutical dosage forms are the means by which active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are delivered to sites of action within the body, they need for the protection, precise dose, and to improve the drug release rate in the form of sustained, controlled, extended, and prolonged-release.

They are classified according to their physical form as solid, liquid, semi-solid, and gaseous dosage forms, and according to their route, they are classified as oral, parenteral (Injection), and topical route of drug administration. Tablet, capsule, granules, powder, syrup, drops, suspension, solutions, mouthwash, colloids, elixir, linctus, ointment, cream, paste, gel, lozenges, suppositories, aerosol, spray, and inhaler are some of the examples of dosage forms.

Oral liquids are commonly used by patients who have difficulty swallowing solid oral dosage forms (tablets and capsules) such as children and the elderly. They are homogeneous liquid preparations, usually a solution, an emulsion, or suspension of one or more drugs in an appropriate liquid base. Oral liquid dosage forms are commonly divided into two forms such as monophasic and biphasic.

Syrups:

Pharmaceutical syrups are saturated aqueous solutions of sugar (sucrose) in water or other aqueous liquids, with or without flavoring agents and medicinal substances. One advantage of syrup is that it masks the unpleasant taste and odor of the drugs, and it is easy to oral administration compared to tablets and capsules.

The pharmaceutical syrup or medicinal syrup is an oral suspension in liquid form used as a flavored vehicle for drugs. Medicinal syrups are commonly used as a pediatric treatment, although they are also available in different types for adults. It should be stored in an airtight container in a dry and cool place after use to preserve them.

Drops:

Pharmaceutical oral drops are liquid preparations for children under the age of one year that are designed to be administered in small doses with the use of a proper measurement device. They are homogenous mixtures in which each drop of solution contains an equal amount of drug.

It is a homogenous mixture with an equal number of parts at every drop of the solution, contains very minute chemical entities, and formulation is designed specifically for a child under the age of one year. Other than oral drops, there are many types of drops available, such as ear drops, eye drops, etc. 

Difference between syrup and drops:

  • The syrup is commonly used as a pediatric medication and is also available in many forms for adults, whereas drops are mainly formulated for infants.
  • The concentration of drugs in syrup is more whereas the concentration of drugs in drops will be less.
  • Pharmaceutical syrups are thick and viscous, whereas oral drops may or may not be thick and viscous.
  • Syrup may not be acceptable for diabetics, whereas drops may be acceptable for diabetics.
  • The syrup is a mixture of active ingredients with sugar or any other sweetening agents in water or other aqueous liquids, whereas the drops are a combination of solvent and solute with suitable excipients.
  • The syrup is sticky, opaque, and cloudy in appearance, whereas drops are non-sticky, transparent and light can pass through it.
  • Syrup can leave stains on clothes, whereas drops cannot leave stains on clothes.
  • The syrup needs to be measured by spoon or suitable multidose containers, whereas drops required a dropper.
  • The oral syrup is always sweet as it has high sugar content, whereas oral drops are not always sweet.

Similarities between oral drops and oral syrup:

Oral drops and syrups are homogeneous mixtures formulated to release the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) after oral administration to attain rapid and complete systemic absorption of medication than the solid oral dosage forms. Both are the most commonly prescribed drugs that are available in a liquid format that can make taking the medicine easier.


Commonly asked questions on syrup and drops are as follows.

What is the difference between paracetamol syrup and drops?
Pediatric drops of paracetamol have a higher concentration as compared to syrup.

What are the examples of syrup and drops?
Paracetamol, maxtra, colicaid, and zincovit are some of the examples of marketed preparations of syrups and drops.


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