ABSTRACT
The compatibility of paclitaxel with low-density polyethylene containers (ECOFLAC) was studied under different temperature and light conditions. Solutions of 0.4 and 1.2 mg/ml of paclitaxel in 5% glucose solution were prepared, put into ECOFLAC containers and stored: (i) at ambient temperature (20-25 degrees C) and in ambient light; (ii) at ambient temperature in the dark; and (iii) at +4 degrees C in the dark. Paclitaxel was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography after visual inspection of the solutions. The results show that solutions of TAXOL in 5% glucose should not be stored for more than 5 days in glass or ECOFLAC containers because a whitish precipitate tends to form, lowering the paclitaxel concentration. The decrease in the paclitaxel concentration observed after chromatographic analysis ranged very widely (from 12 to 83% of the initial concentration). However solutions of TAXOL diluted in 5% glucose was stable for 5 days in ECOFLAC containers under all the storage conditions tested. These additive-free low-density polyethylene containers offer the advantage of not releasing DEHP into the paclitaxel solutions.
Subject(s)
Diethylhexyl Phthalate/chemistry , Drug Incompatibility , Glucose/chemistry , Paclitaxel/chemistry , Polyethylenes/chemistry , Chemical Precipitation , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drug Packaging , Drug Stability , Light , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The compatibility of tropisetron (pure undiluted 1 mg mL(-1) and diluted with 5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl (saline)) with glass, poly(vinyl chloride), polypropylene or polyethylene containers has been studied over a period of two weeks. The drug solutions were exposed to different light and temperature conditions. Tropisetron was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results show that undiluted tropisetron is stable in polypropylene syringes for two weeks under all the storage conditions tested (daylight at room temperature, dark at room temperature, refrigerator at 4 degrees C). Some variations in concentration were observed after dilution of tropisetron but these remained within 10% of the initial concentration. Tropisetron can be stored undiluted at 1 mg mL(-1) in polypropylene syringes, although it is preferable to perform dilutions extemporaneously. Tropisetron diluted with 5% glucose or saline can be kept equally well in glass, poly(vinyl chloride) (Travenol bags) or polyethylene (ecoflac) containers.
