What is the characteristic of a water-in-oil preparation?

A water-in-oil (w/o) preparation is characterized by the presence of a larger proportion of oil compared to water. In these formulations, water droplets are dispersed in an oily continuous phase, which influences both the texture and the application of the preparation. This characteristic is essential for the stability and the functionality of these formulations, as they are designed to deliver active ingredients effectively while providing a certain texture and consistency that is beneficial for specific applications, such as in topical medications or cosmetic products.

In contrast, a preparation that contains more water than oil would be classified as oil-in-water (o/w), which behaves differently in terms of stability and texture. Additionally, characterizing a water-in-oil preparation as always being a syrup or an elixir is inaccurate since those terms refer to specific types of liquid formulations with distinct characteristics not solely dependent on the water-oil ratio.