Table of contents:
- Before shaking, first identify the various types of syrups
- Liquid solution (solution)
- Suspension
- Emulsion
- Elixir
- Is it true that all syrup drugs must be shaken before drinking?
After consulting a doctor about the disease you are experiencing, the doctor often provides various kinds of drugs. One form of medicine that is often given by doctors, namely syrup drugs. In the syrup, there are instructions for shaking it before drinking. Why is this necessary? Should all syrups be shaken before drinking?
Before shaking, first identify the various types of syrups
Although the forms are the same in the bottle, the medicine in the form of syrup has various types. Here are a variety of syrup drugs commonly found in various pharmacies.
This type of syrup drug is probably the most commonly encountered and used. This type of drug is claimed to be the most comfortable for use by patients, especially for children and the elderly.
In simple terms, liquid solution drugs are homogeneous, that is, all of the ingredients have dissolved into one unit. In other words, when a medicine is poured into a spoon or measuring cup, its volume is directly proportional to the dose required.
Liquid medicine solutions are usually thick because they contain relatively high sugar. Therefore, this drug tends to be liked by children because the sugar content in it makes the medicine taste delicious.
However, due to its high sugar content, doctors and pharmacists need to pay attention not to give this type of drug to diabetics.
Like syrup drugs, suspension drugs also look like solutions in general. However, unlike solution drugs, the drug content of the suspension is not completely dissolved or is heterogeneous. If you pay attention, there are small particles in the insoluble solution.
In Indonesia, this type of syrup is often referred to as dry syrup. Usually, the drug is in the form of a suspension, which is a liquid antibiotic for young children or paracetamol.
Emulsion drugs are basically suspension drugs. This type of drug is two liquids that are put together in the same formulation but do not dissolve into one. The difference is that the emulsion drug is given a stabilizer to maintain drug stability.
Other types of syrup drugs, namely elixirs. Elixir drugs are rarely used. In fact, currently the elixir type of drug is rarely found.
Elixir contains various levels of alcohol, ranging from 5-40%. Alcohol is added to the drug formulations to help distribute all the ingredients in the drug evenly.
Is it true that all syrup drugs must be shaken before drinking?
Basically, how to take the right drug depends on the type of drug itself. Although both are syrup drugs, not all types of these drugs must be shaken before drinking.
Liquid medicine syrup or solution do not need to be shaken, because the solution inside has become one unit. Shaking it will only waste energy.
The same is true for elixir type drugs. Elixirs are usually more concentrated. All the medicinal ingredients in it have dissolved into one.
In contrast to suspension or emulsion drugs. In these two types of drugs there are insoluble drug particles, so it is important to shake this syrup type of drug first so that it is evenly distributed.
If not shaken, the volume of the drug poured into a measuring spoon or glass may not match the prescribed dose. The result, the drug will not work optimally in the disease suffered.
The thing that is important to note when taking the drug is the instructions regarding the dosage and how to use the syrup type drug that is given. If there are instructions for shaking the medicine first, especially the medicated syrup, then do it.
You also need to heed the instructions from the doctor if the drug was prescribed from a doctor. How much and how many times should be drunk each day.
