Elixir

<h2 id="etymology">Etymology</h2>
<p>The word was introduced in late <a href="/facts/Middle_English/dj1wHvwd">Middle English</a>, through <a href="/facts/Medieval_Latin/gyLMjaCX">Latin</a> from the <a href="/facts/Arabic_Language/A1e66hVV">Arabic</a> الإكسير (<i>al-ʾiksīr</i>), which in turn is the <a href="/facts/Arabization/buoJF4m2">Arabization</a> of the <a href="/facts/Ancient_Greek/LIK7NlUh">Ancient Greek</a> ξήριον (<i>xērion</i>) 'powder for drying wounds' (from ξηρός (<i>xēros</i>) 'dry').<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> For centuries, <i>elixir</i> primarily meant an ingredient used in <a href="/facts/Alchemy/CEx0U1Em">alchemy</a>, either referring to a liquid which purportedly converts lead to gold, or a substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and <a href="/facts/Elixir_of_immortality/3fyzaRsh">give eternal life</a>.
</p>
<h2 id="types">Types</h2>
<h3>Non-medicated elixirs</h3>
<p>These are used as <a href="/facts/Solvents/LoMPMz8S">solvents</a> or vehicles for the preparation of medicated elixirs. Active ingredients are dissolved in a 15–⁠50% by volume solution of <a href="/facts/Ethanol/3lCLfBSP">ethyl alcohol</a>:
</p>
<ul><li>aromatic elixirs (<a href="/facts/United_States_Pharmacopeia/CyYDYG8m">USP</a>)</li>
<li>isoalcoholic elixirs (<a href="/facts/Formulary_(pharmacy)/TWXJwSJr">NF</a>)</li>
<li>compound <a href="/facts/Benzaldehyde/GyboW1KC">benzaldehyde</a> elixirs (NF)</li></ul>
<h3>Medicated elixirs</h3>
<p>These include:
</p>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Antihistaminic/HuMC25lt">antihistaminic</a> elixirs used against <a href="/facts/Allergy/dYAVosh8">allergy</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Chlorpheniramine_maleate/fuBFmrko">chlorpheniramine maleate</a> (USP) or <a href="/facts/Diphenhydramine_HCl/XbbIg1Nv">diphenhydramine HCl</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Sedative/JWzvq66P">sedative</a> and <a href="/facts/Hypnotic/0SBVYkMe">hypnotic</a> elixirs, the former to induce drowsiness, the latter to induce sleep</li>
<li>pediatric elixirs such as <a href="/facts/Chloral_hydrate/KhDz2HhD">chloral hydrate</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Expectorant/rw9veqmh">expectorant</a> elixirs used to facilitate <a href="/facts/Productive_cough/mqyhR6zj">productive cough</a> (i.e. cough with <a href="/facts/Sputum/gduT4NG3">sputum</a>), such as <a href="/facts/Terpin_hydrate/sM0t5zwU">terpin hydrate</a></li></ul>
<h3>East Asian vitamin drinks</h3>
<p>Daily non-alcoholic non-caffeinated 'vitamin drinks' have been popular in East Asia since the 1950s, with <a href="/facts/Oronamin/UkBQIcSS">Oronamin</a> from <a href="/facts/Otsuka_Pharmaceutical/3oaEguTT">Otsuka Pharmaceutical</a> 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.
</p><p>Western <a href="/facts/Energy_drinks/dxzgPqPM">energy drinks</a> typically have caffeine and are targeted at a younger demographic, with colorful labels and printed claims of increased athletic/daily performance.
</p>
<h3>Pseudomedicinal drinks</h3>
<p>See <a href="/facts/Patent_medicine/BeT1rsEQ">Patent medicine</a>.
</p>
<h2 id="composition">Composition</h2>

<p>An elixir is a <a href="/facts/Water/0lkXnJPK">hydro</a>-<a href="/facts/Ethanol/3lCLfBSP">alcoholic</a> solution of at least one active ingredient. The alcohol is mainly used to:
</p>
<ul><li>Solubilize the active ingredient(s) and some excipients</li>
<li>Retard the crystallization of sugar</li>
<li>Preserve the finished product</li>
<li>Provide a sharpness to the taste</li>
<li>Aid in masking the unpleasant taste of the active ingredient(s)</li>
<li>Enhance the flavor.</li></ul>
<p>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.
</p><p>An elixir may also contain the following <a href="/facts/Excipient/weytb0nV">excipients</a>:
</p>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Sugar/jb5KXRHT">Sugar</a> and/or <a href="/facts/Sugar_substitute/jtA1DAjx">sugar substitutes</a> like the <a href="/facts/Sugar_alcohol/kV7Uul59">sugar polyols</a> <a href="/facts/Glycerol/sRQ6NBQQ">glycerol</a> and <a href="/facts/Sorbitol/LA9MsjYb">sorbitol</a>.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Preservative/sm1IDmDT">Preservatives</a> like <a href="/facts/Paraben/UEfjXRXT">parabens</a> and <a href="/facts/Benzoic_acid/7HrmrBYS">benzoates</a> and <a href="/facts/Antioxidant/4TG4MQ83">antioxidants</a> like <a href="/facts/Butylated_hydroxytoluene/Td6ctev7">butylated hydroxytoluene</a> (BHT) and <a href="/facts/Sodium_metabisulfite/QVKmj3uA">sodium metabisulfite</a>.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Buffering_agent/zrLz9eaa">Buffering agents</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Chelating_agent/4G79sXBB">Chelating agents</a> like <a href="/facts/Sodium/eYuSPu2V">sodium</a> <a href="/facts/Ethylenediaminetetraacetic_acid/XvHgKQyD">ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid</a> (<a href="/facts/EDTA/XvHgKQyD">EDTA</a>)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Flavoring_agent/sGR38zXy">Flavoring agents</a> and <a href="/facts/Flavor_enhancer/sGR38zXy">flavor enhancers</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Color/XDvW7ESP">Coloring agents</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="storage">Storage</h2>
<p>Elixirs should only be stored in a tightly closed, light resistant container away from direct heat and sunlight.
</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>

Look up <i>elixir</i> in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Brompton_cocktail/GIvGbANn">Brompton cocktail</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Concoction/vD5hqMsl">Concoction</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Elixir_of_life/3fyzaRsh">Elixir of life</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Internal_alchemy/gH8rpqQ8">Internal alchemy</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Energy_drink/dxzgPqPM">Energy drink</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Soft_drink/wrh7dUAC">Soft drink</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Panacea_(medicine)/gyBA2xHB">Panacea (medicine)</a>, mythological remedy that would cure all diseases</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Suspension_(chemistry)/S3xp96TL">Suspension (chemistry)</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Syrup/sYS48lTx">Syrup</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Spagyric/rGuyyCk2">Spagyric</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Herbal_tea/qdGBR9sY">Herbal tea</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Tincture/9FnzYB8U">Tincture</a>, in which alcohol is the major solvent and the ingredient is often highly concentrated.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Theriac/7Khkxmhy">Theriac</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Elixir" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 281–282. <a href="/wiki/Hugh_Chisholm" target="_blank">/wiki/Hugh_Chisholm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Elixir" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 281–282. <a href="/wiki/Hugh_Chisholm" target="_blank">/wiki/Hugh_Chisholm</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Elixir open-in-new

Elixir