Stability, compatibility and plasticizer extraction of quinine injection added to infusion solutions and stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers.

The stability of quinine was determined in various diluents and in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers. The release of diethyhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from PVC bags into intravenous infusions of quinine was also measured. We used an injection of two doses of quinine; quiniforme at 500 mg and quinimax at 400 mg in either 250- or 500-ml PVC infusion bags containing 5% dextrose, to give initial nominal concentrations of 2 or 1 mg ml(-1) quiniforme and 1.6 or 0.8 mg ml(-1) quinimax, the mean concentrations commonly used in clinical practice. Samples were assayed by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the clarity was determined visually. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the stability and compatibility of quinine would be compromised, and whether DEHP would be leached from PVC bags and PVC administration sets during storage and simulated infusion. There was no substantial loss of quiniforme and quinimax over 1- or 2-h simulated infusion irrespective of the diluent, and storage during 8 h at 22 degrees C, 48 or 72 h at 4 degrees C and 96 h at 45 degrees C. Leaching of DEHP was also detected during simulated infusion delivery using PVC bags and PVC administration sets. The quantity was less than 2 microg ml(-1). During storage at 4 degrees C and room temperature the leaching of DEHP was low, but when the temperature was 45 degrees C the quantity was high, 21 microg ml(-1). To minimise patient exposure to DEHP, quinine solutions with all drugs should be infused immediately or stored for a maximum of 48 h at 4 degrees C.

Compatibility study of 5-fluorouracil with PVC bags after repackaging into two types of infusion admixtures.

The stability and compatibility of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in admixtures for continuous intravenous infusion using PVC bags and administration sets were studied. 5-fluorouracil was reconstituted and diluted to 1.8 mg/ml for infusion in polyvinyl chloride and glass containers, and to 1 mg/ml to 16 mg/ml for storage in polyvinyl chloride bags containing 5 per cent dextrose or 0.9 per cent sodium chloride injections. Admixtures were stored at +4 degrees C and with protection from light, for 7 days. Analyses were performed by HPLC. No significant drug loss was observed during simulated infusions using PVC infusion bags and administration sets vs glass bottles and administration sets, over an infusion period used in hospitals (24 h). The solution stored at +4 degrees C with protection from light in PVC bags showed that at 1 mg/ml to 16 mg/ml, 5-fluorouracil was stable at least for 7 days in 0.9 per cent sodium chloride and 5 per cent dextrose.

Stability study of fotemustine in PVC infusion bags and sets under various conditions using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay.

The stability and compatibility of fotemustine, a nitrosourea anticancer agent, in 5% dextrose solution with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers and administration sets were studied under different conditions of temperature and light. The drug was diluted to 0.8 and 2 mg ml(-1) in 100 or 250 ml 5% dextrose injection solutions for 1-h simulated infusions using PVC bags and administration sets with protection from light. After preparation in the PVC bags containing 5% dextrose, fotemustine was also prepared at the same concentrations and stored at 4 degrees C for 48 h and at room temperature (22 degrees C) or at sunray exposure ( > 30 degrees C) over 8 h with or without protection from light. The solution samples were removed immediately at various time points of simulated infusions and storage, and stored at -20 degrees C until analysis. The physical compatibility with PVC and chemical stability in solution of fotemustine were assessed by visual examination and by measuring the concentration of the drug in duplicate using a stability-indicating high-performance chromatographic assay. When admixed with a 5% dextrose solution, fotemustine 2 and 0.8 mg ml(-1) was compatible and stable over 1-h of simulated infusion using PVC bags through PVC administration sets with protection from light. On the other hand, in the same diluent, fotemustine was compatible and stable with PVC bags for at least 8 h at 22 degrees C with protection from light and for at least 48 h at 4 degrees C with protection from light. There were no pH variation, no visual change, no color change, no visible precipitation and no loss of the drug. Conversely, when the solutions were exposed to light (ambient or solar), the drug concentration decreased rapidly, leading to the production of a degradation product as shown by mass spectral analysis and a discoloration of the solutions. Finally, in all cases, no DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) was detected in the injection solution.

Stability, compatibility and plasticizer extraction of miconazole injection added to infusion solutions and stored in PVC containers.

The stability of miconazole in various diluents and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers was determined and the release of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from PVC bags into intravenous infusions of miconazole was measured. An injection formulation (80 ml) containing a 1% solution of miconazole with 11.5% of Cremophor EL was added to 250-ml PVC infusion bags containing 5% glucose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection, to give an initial nominal miconazole concentration of 2.42 mg ml-1, the mean concentration commonly used in clinical practice. Samples were assayed by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the clarity was determined visually. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the stability and compatibility of miconazole would be compromised, and whether DEHP would be leached from PVC bags and PVC administration sets during storage and simulated infusion. There was no substantial loss of miconazole over 2 h simulated infusion irrespective of the diluent, and over 24 h storage irrespective of temperature (2-6 degrees C and 22-26 degrees C). All the solutions initially appeared slightly hazy. Leaching of DEHP was also detected during simulated delivery using PVC bags and PVC administration sets. There was a substantial difference between the amounts of DEHP released from PVC bags and from administration sets, and also between the amounts released in solutions stored in PVC bags at 2-6 degrees C and 22-26 degrees C over 24 h. At the dilution studied, miconazole was visually and chemically stable for up to 24 h. The storage of miconazole solutions in PVC bags seems to be limited by the leaching of DEHP rather than by degradation. To minimize patient exposure to DEHP, miconazole solutions should be infused immediately after their preparation in PVC bags.

Study of Costus lucanusianus: plant juice, fraction combinations and pharmacologic estimation of natural product total activity.

The juice of Costus lucanusianus fresh stems was split by chromatography using pharmacological measurements on duodenum and uterus to follow activity. The concentration-effect curves of the parent juice and the active fraction alone or associated with other fractions were analysed according to classical methods used for combination drugs. Results show that the active fraction is potentialised by two groups of fractions which are without intrinsic activity.