Tag: Alcohol in medicine

In 1937, the use of diethylene glycol in an untested 'Elixir Sulfanilamide' led to over 100 deaths, prompting the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This historical event highlights a fundamental question regarding liquid formulations: Is elixir good or bad?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), overdose of cough and cold products has harmed many children, with some cases resulting in seizures, coma, and even death. This critical safety information raises important questions, including: **Does syrup have any side effects?** The answer is yes, and they can range from mild to life-threatening depending on the ingredients and usage.

While many liquid medicines appear similar, an elixir contains alcohol as a key solvent, whereas a syrup is a concentrated sugar-based solution without alcohol. This fundamental distinction is key to understanding **what is the difference between a syrup and an elixir?** and influences everything from viscosity to patient safety.

Pharmaceutical elixirs typically contain between 3% and 23% ethanol, a fact that underlies many of their limitations [1.2.1]. While useful for dissolving certain drugs, understanding 'What are the disadvantages of elixirs?' is crucial for safe and effective medication management, especially in sensitive populations.

Some formulations of the over-the-counter cough medicine Robitussin can contain anywhere from 1.4% to 3.5% alcohol [1.2.5]. Understanding **how much alcohol is in Robitussin** is crucial for safety, especially for certain individuals and when considering drug interactions.

Yes, original formulations of Vicks NyQuil liquid contained a significant amount of alcohol [1.2.1, 1.5.7]. In fact, according to a 1992 New York Times article, NyQuil's formula once consisted of 25% alcohol, which is more than double the amount found in many of today's liquid versions [1.4.7].