Elixiria. Elixirs.
Cordials; Elixirs, Fr.; Elixire, G.
Elixirs as they are known in modem American pharmacy are aromatic, sweetened, spirituous preparations, containing small quantities of active medicinal substances. They differ greatly from the liquids formerly termed elixirs, from the fact that the first object sought for in the modern elixir is an agreeable taste, and usually this is attained only by such sacrifices as to render the effect of the medicine almost nil, while the principal activity is due to the alcohol, which has proved in many cases very injurious. These considerations have prevented an extensive official recognition of elixirs, and the U. S. Pharm., 1890, recognized but two, one of which, the Aromatic Elixir, has been introduced merely as a vehicle. In the U. S. P. (8th Rev.) two elixirs were introduced, Adjuvant Elixir and Elixir of Iron, Quinine and Strychnine Phosphates. In the U. S. P. IX Elixir of Iron, Quinine and Strychnine Phosphates was dropped and Aromatic Elixir and Elixir of Glycyrrhiza (formerly named Adjuvant Elixir) were alone retained.
A number are, however, included in the N. F. IV. Elixir of Orange, official in the U. S. Pharm., 1880, may be made by the formula on page 435, U. S. Dispensatory, 19th edition.
