Definition and preparation of elixirs MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Elixirs are clear, palatable hydroalcoholic solutions used as oral dosage forms; they combine water, ethanol, sweeteners, flavoring agents, cosolvents (glycerin or propylene glycol), and preservatives to solubilize and stabilize active pharmaceutical ingredients. For B.Pharm students, mastering the definition and preparation of elixirs involves understanding solvent selection, alcohol strength, excipient roles, order of mixing, methods to prevent turbidity, and pharmacopoeial quality tests (alcohol content, clarity, pH, assay). This topic bridges formulation principles, practical preparation techniques, and stability considerations essential for safe, effective liquid dosage design. ‘Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.’

Q1. What is the standard definition of an elixir in pharmaceutics?

• A clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solution intended for oral use
• A concentrated aqueous syrup for topical use
• An oily solution for parenteral injection
• An emulsion for external application

Correct Answer: A clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solution intended for oral use

Q2. Typical alcohol strength range used in elixirs is approximately:

• 5–40% v/v
• 40–70% v/v
• 0–5% v/v
• 70–90% v/v

Correct Answer: 5–40% v/v

Q3. The primary role of ethanol in elixir formulations is to:

• Act as a solvent for poorly water-soluble drugs
• Serve exclusively as a sweetening agent
• Increase formulation viscosity
• Function only as a coloring agent

Correct Answer: Act as a solvent for poorly water-soluble drugs

Q4. Which pair is commonly used as cosolvents in elixirs to enhance solubility?

• Glycerin and propylene glycol
• Sucrose and saccharin
• Benzyl alcohol and phenol
• Water and acetone

Correct Answer: Glycerin and propylene glycol

Q5. Best practice order of mixing when preparing a medicated elixir to avoid precipitation is:

• Dissolve the drug in the alcoholic phase first, then add the alcoholic solution slowly to the aqueous syrup
• Add the syrup rapidly to the alcohol without prior dissolution
• Mix all components at high temperature above 80°C
• Add preservatives first and drug last without stirring

Correct Answer: Dissolve the drug in the alcoholic phase first, then add the alcoholic solution slowly to the aqueous syrup

Q6. Compared with syrups, elixirs are generally:

• Less viscous and contain alcohol, improving solubility of certain drugs
• More viscous and entirely alcohol-free
• Intended only for topical applications
• Always carbonated for flavor

Correct Answer: Less viscous and contain alcohol, improving solubility of certain drugs

Q7. Which preservatives are commonly used in elixirs for antimicrobial protection?

• Methylparaben and propylparaben
• Sucrose and glucose
• Ethanol and water (only)
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carbomer

Correct Answer: Methylparaben and propylparaben

Q8. A common disadvantage of elixirs compared to syrups is:

• Alcohol content may reduce patient acceptability or be contraindicated in some groups
• They always support microbial growth more than syrups
• They cannot solubilize any poorly soluble drug
• They are incompatible with flavoring agents

Correct Answer: Alcohol content may reduce patient acceptability or be contraindicated in some groups

Q9. Which pharmacopeial method is commonly used to determine alcohol content in elixirs?

• Distillation followed by measurement of recovered alcohol (pycnometric or volumetric)
• Titration with sodium hydroxide
• UV-visible spectrophotometry at 260 nm
• Gas chromatography without prior sample preparation

Correct Answer: Distillation followed by measurement of recovered alcohol (pycnometric or volumetric)

Q10. Adding cosolvents like propylene glycol to an elixir primarily works by:

• Reducing the polarity of the solvent medium to increase solubility of lipophilic drugs
• Decreasing the pH to improve stability
• Neutralizing preservatives
• Acting as a primary sweetener only

Correct Answer: Reducing the polarity of the solvent medium to increase solubility of lipophilic drugs

Q11. A commonly used sweetening component in many elixirs is:

• Sucrose syrup
• Calcium carbonate
• Sodium chloride
• Bentonite

Correct Answer: Sucrose syrup

Q12. One frequent stability problem encountered with elixirs on dilution or improper mixing is:

• Precipitation or turbidity due to changes in solvent proportion
• Immediate sterilization
• Conversion to an emulsion that is stable indefinitely
• Formation of gas bubbles from sugar fermentation only

Correct Answer: Precipitation or turbidity due to changes in solvent proportion

Q13. Which labeling detail is especially important for elixirs due to patient safety and regulatory requirements?

• Alcohol content and appropriate storage/use warnings
• Exact time of day to be manufactured
• Batch number of the sugar used
• Manufacturer’s employee names

Correct Answer: Alcohol content and appropriate storage/use warnings

Q14. How many milliliters of absolute alcohol are required to prepare 500 mL of elixir at 20% v/v?

• 100 mL
• 50 mL
• 200 mL
• 20 mL

Correct Answer: 100 mL

Q15. To avoid cloudiness while combining alcoholic and aqueous phases, the recommended technique is to:

• Add the alcoholic solution slowly to the aqueous syrup with constant stirring
• Add the aqueous syrup quickly to the alcohol in one lot
• Always heat the alcohol phase to boiling before mixing
• Freeze the mixture during mixing

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

Q16. For acidic elixirs where a preservative is required, which agent is commonly chosen for effectiveness at low pH?

• Sodium benzoate
• Sodium chloride
• Calcium hydroxide
• Sodium bicarbonate

Correct Answer: Sodium benzoate

Q17. A 5% w/v elixir contains how many mg of drug per mL?

• 50 mg/mL
• 5 mg/mL
• 500 mg/mL
• 0.5 mg/mL

Correct Answer: 50 mg/mL

Q18. Which analytical approach is typically used to quantify volatile aromatic components in an elixir?

• Gas chromatography after appropriate sample preparation
• Simple colorimetric paper test
• Turbidimetric assay only
• Microbial culture count

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography after appropriate sample preparation

Q19. Elixirs are generally contraindicated or used with caution in which patient group because of alcohol content?

• Infants and neonates
• Healthy adults over 20
• Patients with no alcohol sensitivity
• All athletes after training

Correct Answer: Infants and neonates

Q20. At approximately what minimum ethanol concentration does alcohol provide meaningful antimicrobial protection in oral liquids?

• About 15% v/v or higher
• Less than 1% v/v
• Exactly 5% v/v only
• Over 90% v/v only

Correct Answer: About 15% v/v or higher

Q21. Which type of excipient is primarily used to mask unpleasant taste or provide flavor in elixirs?

• Volatile flavoring oils such as peppermint or orange oil
• Antioxidants like ascorbic acid
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Paraffin wax

Correct Answer: Volatile flavoring oils such as peppermint or orange oil

Q22. Compared to syrups, elixirs generally have which microbiological advantage?

• Better inherent antimicrobial protection due to alcohol content
• Require no preservatives under any condition
• Always sterile after simple mixing
• Are less stable microbiologically because of high sugar

Correct Answer: Better inherent antimicrobial protection due to alcohol content

Q23. What is the effect of adding glycerin to an elixir formulation?

• Increases viscosity and acts as a humectant and cosolvent
• Decreases sweetness dramatically
• Precipitates most drugs immediately
• Neutralizes alcohol content

Correct Answer: Increases viscosity and acts as a humectant and cosolvent

Q24. Which statement correctly contrasts tinctures and elixirs?

• Tinctures generally have higher alcohol content than elixirs
• Tinctures are always non-alcoholic while elixirs are alcoholic
• Tinctures are only used for parenteral administration
• Tinctures never contain active medicinal substances

Correct Answer: Tinctures generally have higher alcohol content than elixirs

Q25. Which quality test is NOT typically required for an oral elixir during routine pharmacopeial evaluation?

• Pyrogen test
• Alcohol content determination
• Clarity and visual inspection
• Assay of active ingredient

Correct Answer: Pyrogen test

Q26. One formulation advantage of elixirs for certain drugs is that they:

• Improve solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble, orally administered drugs
• Completely eliminate first-pass metabolism for all drugs
• Ensure 100% taste masking for all bitter drugs
• Convert all drugs into prodrugs

Correct Answer: Improve solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble, orally administered drugs

Q27. Turbidity or cloudiness appearing in some elixirs on storage is most often due to:

• Separation or precipitation of volatile oils or poorly soluble constituents
• Complete sterilization by preservatives
• Increased sweetness over time
• Formation of crystalline water

Correct Answer: Separation or precipitation of volatile oils or poorly soluble constituents

Q28. Proper long-term storage conditions for elixirs usually require:

• Well-closed containers protected from light and excessive heat
• Open display in sunlight to maintain clarity
• Freezing to avoid microbial growth
• Exposure to direct heat sources to keep alcohol volatile

Correct Answer: Well-closed containers protected from light and excessive heat

Q29. Which pharmacopeial assay is commonly specified for elixirs to ensure compliance with standards?

• Alcohol content determination by distillation or validated method
• Sterility test for parenteral use
• Particle size distribution by laser diffraction
• Endotoxin testing only

Correct Answer: Alcohol content determination by distillation or validated method

Q30. Propylene glycol used in elixirs primarily functions to:

• Increase solubility of certain drugs as a cosolvent and reduce volatility of other components
• React chemically with active ingredients to form salts
• Serve as the primary preservative at 0.1% concentration
• Act as a primary emulsifying agent for oil-in-water emulsions

Correct Answer: Increase solubility of certain drugs as a cosolvent and reduce volatility of other components

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