Phenylephrine-containing liquid formulations

1. An aqueous oral pharmaceutical solution comprising:

a) 0.05% w/v phenylephrine;

b) 0.01% to 0.4% w/v sucralose;

c) 18% to 30% w/v glycerin; and

d) 3% to 10% w/v sorbitol;

wherein the glycerin to sorbitol ratio is about 2:1 to about 5:1;

wherein the aqueous oral pharmaceutical solution contains no conventional sugar sweeteners;

wherein the solution contains no suspension embodiments selected from the group consisting of xanthan, microcrystalline cellulose, and combinations thereof; and

wherein the solution is substantially free of phenylephrine degradants as measured under conditions of 40° C. and 75% relative humidity for 1 month.

2. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising a flavor system.

3. The solution of claim 2 , wherein the flavor system includes non-aldehyde flavorants.

4. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising at least one second active agent selected from the group consisting of analgesics, decongestants, expectorants, antitussives, antipyretics, anti-inflammatory agents, cough suppressants and antihistamines.

5. The solution of claim 4 , wherein the at least one second active agent is selected from the group consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), propionic acid derivatives, flurbiprofen, fenoprofen, suprofen, flurprofen, fenbufen, acetic acid derivatives, tolmetin sodium, zomepirac, sulindac, indomethacin, fenamic acid derivatives, mefenamic acid, meclofenamate sodium, biphenyl carboxylic acid derivatives, diflunisal, flufenisal, oxicams, sudoxicam, isoxicam, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, triprolidine, chlorcyclizine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, doxylamine succinate, tripelennamine, cyproheptadine, bromodiphenhydramine, phenindamine, pyrilamine, azatadine, acrivastine, astemizole, azelastine, cetirizine, ebastine, fexofenadine, ketotifen, carbinoxamine, desloratadine, loratadine, pheniramine, thonzylamine, mizolastine, terfenadine, chlophedianol, caramiphen, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, codeine, hydrocodone, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, terpin hydrate, guaifenesin, potassium, potassium guaiacolsulfonate, aspirin, acetaminophen, phenacetin, salicylate salts and combination thereof.

6. The solution of claim 5 , wherein the at least one second active agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, acetaminophen, chlophedianol, diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, loratadine, aspirin and doxylamine succinate.

7. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising a buffering agent.

8. The solution of claim 7 , wherein the buffering agent maintains a pH below about 5.4 in the solution.

9. The solution of claim 7 , wherein the buffering agent maintains a pH between about 2 and about 4.5 in the solution.

10. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising a preservative.

11. The solution of claim 10 , wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, sorbates, parabens, EDTA and combinations thereof.

12. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising an antioxidant.

13. The solution of claim 12 , wherein the antioxidant is propyl gallate.

14. The solution of claim 1 , further comprising up to about 1.25% w/v citric acid.

15. The solution of claim 13 , further comprising up to about 0.2% w/v propyl gallate.

16. The solution of claim 1 , wherein the solution is substantially free of phenylephrine degradants as measured under conditions of 60 ° C. and 60% relative humidity for approximately three weeks.

17. The solution of claim 1 , wherein the solution is substantially free of phenylephrine degradants as measured under conditions of 40 ° C. and 75% relative humidity for approximately six months.