Monophasic liquids – Elixirs MCQs With Answer

Monophasic liquids – Elixirs MCQs With Answer introduces B. Pharm students to clear, sweetened, hydroalcoholic oral solutions used to enhance solubility, stability, and palatability of drugs. This concise overview covers elixir definition, composition (alcohol, water, sweeteners, cosolvents), formulation principles, preparation steps, and quality evaluation. Key concepts include hydroalcoholic solvent systems, cosolvents like propylene glycol and glycerin, flavoring agents, preservatives, pH control, clarity testing, and packaging. Students will explore differences between elixirs and syrups, pediatric considerations, dilution-induced precipitation, and storage requirements. Emphasis is placed on solubility enhancement, taste masking, stability optimization, and regulatory aspects relevant to pharmaceutics and dispensing. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. An elixir is best defined as a:

• Suspension of insoluble drug particles in a sweetened aqueous vehicle
• Clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solution intended for oral use
• Oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by surfactants
• Topical alcoholic tincture for external application

Correct Answer: Clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solution intended for oral use

Q2. Which statement best differentiates elixirs from syrups?

• Elixirs have higher viscosity and no alcohol
• Elixirs contain significant alcohol and are less viscous than syrups
• Syrups are hydroalcoholic and less sweet than elixirs
• Both have identical solvent systems

Correct Answer: Elixirs contain significant alcohol and are less viscous than syrups

Q3. The typical alcohol content range found in elixirs is:

• 0–2% v/v
• 5–40% v/v
• 50–80% v/v
• 90–95% v/v

Correct Answer: 5–40% v/v

Q4. The primary function of alcohol in elixirs is to:

• Increase viscosity for better mouthfeel
• Act as a cosolvent to dissolve alcohol-soluble drugs and flavor oils and aid preservation
• Serve only as a preservative
• Neutralize bitter taste via chemical reaction

Correct Answer: Act as a cosolvent to dissolve alcohol-soluble drugs and flavor oils and aid preservation

Q5. To minimize precipitation during elixir preparation, the correct mixing order is to:

• Add alcoholic solution to aqueous solution rapidly
• Add aqueous solution slowly to alcoholic solution with constant stirring
• Heat both phases to boiling, then mix
• Add all components directly to the final container and shake

Correct Answer: Add aqueous solution slowly to alcoholic solution with constant stirring

Q6. Which pair is commonly used as cosolvents in elixirs?

• Liquid paraffin and polysorbate 20
• Propylene glycol and glycerin
• Mineral oil and sorbitan monooleate
• Starch paste and gelatin

Correct Answer: Propylene glycol and glycerin

Q7. Regarding preservation in elixirs, which is most accurate?

• Preservatives are always mandatory regardless of alcohol level
• Alcohol has no antimicrobial effect
• Preservatives are often unnecessary when alcohol ≥12–15% v/v
• Only natural preservatives are effective in elixirs

Correct Answer: Preservatives are often unnecessary when alcohol ≥12–15% v/v

Q8. Which parameter best indicates the clarity of an elixir during evaluation?

• Absence of turbidity on visual inspection
• High viscosity
• Strong color intensity
• Low pH

Correct Answer: Absence of turbidity on visual inspection

Q9. A key consideration for pediatric elixirs is:

• Alcohol content typically below 10% v/v with suitable flavors/sweeteners
• Use of maximum alcohol for solubility regardless of age
• Complete avoidance of sweeteners
• Use of strong bitter flavors to discourage overdose

Correct Answer: Alcohol content typically below 10% v/v with suitable flavors/sweeteners

Q10. Which statement about simple and aromatic elixirs is correct?

• Simple elixir is an emulsion; aromatic elixir is a suspension
• Aromatic elixir contains aromatic flavoring agents and serves as a vehicle
• Simple elixir contains no alcohol
• Both are intended only for external use

Correct Answer: Aromatic elixir contains aromatic flavoring agents and serves as a vehicle

Q11. Elixirs are preferred over syrups for poorly water-soluble APIs because:

• They eliminate the need for any sweetener
• Hydroalcoholic solvent enhances solubility of lipophilic drugs
• They are always alcohol-free
• They require no filtration

Correct Answer: Hydroalcoholic solvent enhances solubility of lipophilic drugs

Q12. For sugar-restricted patients, a suitable sweetening approach in elixirs is:

• High-sucrose only
• Use sorbitol or non-nutritive sweeteners like saccharin sodium
• Use lactose monohydrate alone
• No sweetener under any circumstance

Correct Answer: Use sorbitol or non-nutritive sweeteners like saccharin sodium

Q13. When an elixir is diluted with water, cloudiness may occur due to:

• Increase in buffer capacity
• Decrease in alcohol concentration causing precipitation of alcohol-soluble components
• Formation of micelles
• Evaporation of water only

Correct Answer: Decrease in alcohol concentration causing precipitation of alcohol-soluble components

Q14. In elixir manufacture, talc may be used to:

• Increase sweetness
• Act as an adsorbent to clarify by entrapping oils during filtration
• Reduce alcohol content
• Adjust pH

Correct Answer: Act as an adsorbent to clarify by entrapping oils during filtration

Q15. Appropriate packaging for elixirs typically includes:

• Wide-mouthed plastic jars without closures
• Tight, light-resistant containers with child-resistant closures
• Open beakers for ventilation
• Metal tins with screw caps

Correct Answer: Tight, light-resistant containers with child-resistant closures

Q16. Which auxiliary labeling is most appropriate for elixirs?

• Shake well before use
• For oral use; store tightly closed; protect from light as applicable
• For external use only
• Store in freezer

Correct Answer: For oral use; store tightly closed; protect from light as applicable

Q17. The usual pH range for many elixirs to maintain stability and palatability is:

• 1–2
• 3–5
• 4–7
• 8–10

Correct Answer: 4–7

Q18. The most suitable technique to quantify alcohol content in elixirs is:

• UV–Visible spectrophotometry
• Karl Fischer titration
• Gas chromatography
• Polarimetry

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography

Q19. A commonly referenced nonmedicated vehicle used for compounding elixirs is:

• Simple syrup
• Aromatic elixir
• Compound tragacanth mucilage
• Wheat starch solution

Correct Answer: Aromatic elixir

Q20. Elixirs can improve stability of hydrolysis-prone drugs primarily by:

• Increasing water activity
• Decreasing water activity via alcohol, reducing hydrolysis rate
• Raising pH to strongly alkaline
• Adding suspended solids

Correct Answer: Decreasing water activity via alcohol, reducing hydrolysis rate

Q21. Compared to syrups, elixirs generally contain less sucrose because:

• Sucrose cannot dissolve in alcohol
• Lower viscosity improves pourability and reduces precipitation risk
• Sucrose degrades all APIs
• Sweetness is unnecessary in elixirs

Correct Answer: Lower viscosity improves pourability and reduces precipitation risk

Q22. An appropriate antioxidant for elixirs containing flavor oils is:

• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Calcium carbonate
• Sodium chloride
• Acacia

Correct Answer: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Q23. During compounding, precipitation occurs after mixing phases. The best corrective approach is to:

• Add more water to dissolve the precipitate
• Increase alcohol content or add a suitable cosolvent like propylene glycol, then refilter
• Heat to boiling for 10 minutes
• Add a suspending agent to keep particles dispersed

Correct Answer: Increase alcohol content or add a suitable cosolvent like propylene glycol, then refilter

Q24. The preferred device for accurate dosing of pediatric elixirs is a:

• Tablespoon
• Oral syringe with calibration
• Teacup
• Dropper without markings

Correct Answer: Oral syringe with calibration

Q25. Which statement about elixir stability during storage is true?

• High temperatures can increase alcohol evaporation and cause precipitation
• Light has no effect on flavor oils
• Elixirs cannot support microbial growth at any alcohol level
• Refrigeration always increases clarity

Correct Answer: High temperatures can increase alcohol evaporation and cause precipitation

Q26. Which excipient is generally unsuitable in elixirs due to poor solubility?

• Starch
• Propylene glycol
• Glycerin
• Sucrose

Correct Answer: Starch

Q27. Elixirs primarily enhance which organoleptic property of formulations?

• Colorfastness
• Palatability by masking bitterness with sweeteners and flavors
• Carbonation
• Opacity

Correct Answer: Palatability by masking bitterness with sweeteners and flavors

Q28. For high-potency APIs in elixirs, the best method to ensure content uniformity is to:

• Add the API directly to the final bulk and stir briefly
• Prepare a concentrated alcoholic solution of the API, then dilute to volume with vehicle
• Mix the API with starch before addition
• Heat the API dry before dissolving

Correct Answer: Prepare a concentrated alcoholic solution of the API, then dilute to volume with vehicle

Q29. The most suitable preservative for acidic elixirs around pH 4–5 is:

• Sodium benzoate
• Benzalkonium chloride at alkaline pH
• Chlorhexidine at neutral pH
• Calcium propionate

Correct Answer: Sodium benzoate

Q30. A notable disadvantage of elixirs is that they:

• Cannot dissolve lipophilic drugs
• Are unsuitable for patients avoiding alcohol and may have drug–alcohol interactions
• Always require refrigeration
• Are opaque and require shaking

Correct Answer: Are unsuitable for patients avoiding alcohol and may have drug–alcohol interactions

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