Advantage And Disadvantage Of Pharmaceutical Syrup

Syrups are concentrated aqueous preparations of a sugar or sugar substitute with or without flavoring agents and medicinal substances. Syrups containing flavoring agents but not medicinal substances are called non medicated or flavored vehicles (syrups).

Read Also: Classification of pharmaceutical syrup

Basically, it is an oral suspension in liquid form actually used as a flavored vehicle for medicine.

Pharmaceutical syrup

Advantages of Syrup

1. Retard oxidation because it partly hydrolyzed into dextrose & levulose (reducing sugars) so prevent decomposition of many substances hence no preservative needed

2. Exert high osmotic pressure – prevents the growth of microbacterias (bacteria, fungi, molds, etc)

3. Palatable sweet – a vehicle for bitter/nauseous substances

4. Appropriate for any patient, whatever the age is

5. The most natural and easiest route of administration

6. Economical and safe to the patient

7. No nursing is required, which means the patient can take it with no help

8. The liquid dosage form is expected for certain types of products like cough medicines

Read Also: Overview Of Pharmaceutical Syrup

 Disadvantages Of Syrup

1. Delayed onset of action because absorption takes time compared to some other dosage forms like solutions

2. Not suitable in emergency and for unconscious patients

3. Not convenient for a patient with a gastrointestinal disorder such as diarrhea, constipation, ulceration, and hyperacidity in stomach

4. Can’t avoid first pass metabolism