What term describes a prescription liquid that must be shaken before use?

The term that describes a prescription liquid that must be shaken before use is "suspension." A suspension is a type of liquid dosage form that contains solid particles dispersed throughout a liquid medium. These particles do not dissolve but remain suspended, which means they can settle at the bottom of the container if not agitated. Because of this property, it is crucial to shake a suspension before use to ensure that the particles are evenly distributed throughout the liquid, providing the correct dosage when administered.

In contrast, an elixir is a clear, sweetened solution that contains alcohol and is used to dissolve medications, but it does not require shaking because the medication is completely dissolved. An infusion refers to steeping plant material in water or another solvent to extract active ingredients, while a decoction involves boiling plant material to extract its beneficial properties. Both infusion and decoction generally yield stable solutions that do not require shaking prior to use.