Ephedrine elixir

Derivative spectroscopy may be used in the assay of Ephedrine Elixir BP, which is used as a decongestant. This preparation is an oral solution containing 0.3% w/v of ephedrine hydrochloride in a suitably flavoured vehicle. The elixir is pink in colour and the presence of the pink dye interferes with the simple UV assay, but the preparation may be analysed as follows. 

Figure 7.19 D2 spectra from assay of Ephedrine Elixir BP.

A number of standard dilutions of pure ephedrine hydrochloride are prepared and their D2 spectra are measured. A calibration curve of D2 peak height vs concentration is drawn. The elixir is diluted and the D2 spectrum... 

The Joint Committee" of the Pharmaceutical Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry recommended a gas chromatographic method for the determination of ephedrine in tablets, elixir and nasal drops, using phenmetrazine as an internal standard. Ephedrine was extracted... 

Elixir of Ephedrine, B.P.C. Contains 0-46 per cent w/v of ephedrine hydrochloride in compound syrup. 

The standard distillation method given above is applicable for the determination of ephedrine using 50 ml of elixir. In comparison, the A.O.A.C. method gave somewhat more erratic recoveries but it is quite a convenient method since it is carried out on a much smaller sample of material. 

Mixture of Belladonna and Ephedrine for Infants, B.P.C, Contains 0 23 per cent w/v of ephedrine hydrochloride. The ephedrine may be determined by the extraction method given under Elixir of Ephedrine, using 20 ml of mixture. 

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