Comparison of the Adsorption of Original and Biosimilar Preparations of Filgrastim on Infusion Sets and the Inhibition of Adsorption by Polysorbate 80.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the adsorption of filgrastim on infusion sets (comprising infusion bag, line and filter) and to compare the adsorption of the original filgrastim preparation with biosimilar preparations using HPLC. The inhibitory effect of polysorbate 80 on this adsorption was also evaluated. Filgrastim was mixed with isotonic sodium chloride solution or 5% (w/v) glucose solution in the infusion fluid. Filgrastim adsorption on infusion sets was observed with all preparations and with both types of infusion solution. The adsorption ratio was about 30% in all circumstances. Filgrastim adsorption on all parts of the infusion set (bag, line and filter) was dramatically decreased by the addition of polysorbate 80 solution at concentrations at or over its critical micelle concentration (CMC). The filgrastim adsorption ratio was highest at a solution pH of 5.65, which is the isoelectric point (pI) of filgrastim. This study showed that the degree of filgrastim adsorption on infusion sets is similar for original and biosimilar preparations, but that the addition of polysorbate 80 to the infusion solution at concentrations at or above its CMC is effective in preventing filgrastim adsorption. The addition of a total-vitamin preparation with a polysorbate 80 concentration over its CMC may be an effective way of preventing filgrastim adsorption on infusion sets.

The Role of an Impurity in Ceftriaxone Sodium Preparation for Injection in Determining Compatibility with Calcium-Containing Solutions.

Ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection is known to form insoluble microparticles with calcium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of an impurity in the ceftriaxone sodium preparation on this incompatibility. Firstly, using HPLC, two impurities were identified in the ceftriaxone sodium solution. The major impurity (impurity 1) was identified as tetrahydro-2-methyl-3-thioxo-1,2,4-triazine-5,6-dione by LC/MS. Secondly, the role played by this impurity in the incompatibility with calcium was examined. Using seven different ceftriaxone preparations for injection, the effect of adding impurity 1 to mixed solutions of ceftriaxone sodium and calcium chloride on the appearance of insoluble microparticles, was examined using a light obscuration particle counter. Although incompatibility was not completely suppressed by the addition of impurity 1, the number of insoluble microparticles formed with calcium chloride solution was decreased in proportion to the concentration of impurity 1, and the concentration of calcium ion decreased as the concentration of added impurity 1 increased. These results show that impurity 1 plays a concentration-dependent role in incompatibility between ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection and calcium-containing solutions.

Prediction of the stability of meropenem in intravenous mixtures.

The purpose of this study was to predict the stability of meropenem in a mixed infusion. The hydrolysis of meropenem in aqueous solution was found to be accelerated by pH, and by increasing concentrations of sodium bisulfite (SBS) and L-cysteine. Equations were derived for the degradation rate constants (kobs) of pH, SBS and L-cysteine, and fractional rate constants were estimated by the nonlinear least-squares method (quasi-Newton method using the solver in Microsoft Excel) at 25°C. The activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (A) were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The pH of the mixed infusion was estimated using the characteristic pH curve. From these results, an equation was derived giving the residual ratio (%) of meropenem at any time after mixing an infusion containing SBS and/or L-cysteine at any temperature, and in the pH range 4.0-10.0. A high correlation was shown to exist between the estimated and determined residual ratios (%).

Prediction of the stability of octreotide in a mixed infusion.

The purpose of this study was to predict the stability of octreotide in a mixed infusion containing sodium bisulfite (SBS). In aqueous solution the hydrolysis of octreotide was found to be accelerated by pH, and by increasing concentrations of SBS. Equations for the degradation rate constants (kobs) of pH and SBS were derived. The fractional rate constants were estimated by the nonlinear least-squares method (quasi-Newton method using the solver in Microsoft Excel) at 25°C. The activation energy (Ea) and frequency factor (A) were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The pH of the mixed infusion was estimated using the pH characteristic (PHC) curve. From these results, an equation was derived giving the residual ratio (%) of octreotide at any time after mixing an infusion containing SBS at any temperature in the pH range 4.0-7.0. A high correlation was shown to exist between the estimated and determined residual ratios (%).

Comparison of the dissolution rate of ceftriaxone sodium preparations for injection.

This study aimed to compare the dissolution rate of eight different formulations of ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection, the original product and seven generic versions. The dissolution time was measured precisely as the point at which the freeze-dried ceftriaxone sodium preparation became a transparent solution on the addition of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. To investigate whether differences in the crystalline structure may explain the differences in dissolution rates, the eight products were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Powder surface characteristics were examined, including surface area, amount of water adsorbed, water interactions and morphology. The measurement of near-infrared spectroscopy of powder preparations was conducted, and we predicted dissolution time by partial least squares (PLS). The dissolution time of the eight products were different. There were no differences in XRD and DSC findings between the original and generic products, surface characteristics, i.e., surface area, morphology etc., were different between preparations. On near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, a good relationship was demonstrated between the actual and predicted dissolution time for each ceftriaxone preparation. The difference in dissolution time between the eight products was due to differences in powder surface characteristics, such as water interaction and crystal shape. Finally, it was shown that the dissolution rates of the products could be predicted by NIR analysis.

Prediction of compatibility between ozagrel sodium preparation for injection and calcium on the basis of the solubility product.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the compatibility of ozagrel sodium solution and calcium-containing transfusions using solubility product constants. We calculated the solubility product constant of mixtures of ozagrel sodium and calcium chloride and evaluated the compatibility of ozagrel sodium solution (both the original and generic products) with calcium chloride solution using a light obscuration particle counter. Various volumes of ozagrel solution were added to the calcium solutions to make final ozagrel concentrations of 0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 3.2 and 4.0 mmol/L. The solutions were gently agitated and stored at 25 and 40°C. The ozagrel concentration, calcium ion concentration and number of microparticles were measured. The solubility product constants obtained were 11.89×10(-9) mol(3)/L(3) (at 25°C) and 7.82×10(-9) mol(3)/L(3) (40°C). The number of insoluble microparticles was significantly increased when the ionic product was larger than the solubility product constant. In all ozagrel sodium products, the number of insoluble microparticles was within the allowable range according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. These results suggest that mixing ozagrel sodium with calcium-containing products is safe and without appreciable risk of incompatibility under clinical conditions.

Comparison between original and generic versions of ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection: compatibility with calcium-containing product.

The purpose of this study was to compare the compatibility of ROCEPHINE® Intravenous, the original manufacturer's ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection, and seven generic versions thereof, with various calcium chloride injection 2%. The influence of calcium ion concentration, storage time and shaking strength on the appearance and quantity of insoluble microparticles in mixed solutions was examined using a light obscuration particle counter. In all products, the observed number of insoluble microparticles was proportional to the calcium ion concentration, storage time and shaking strength after the addition of calcium chloride solution. In several of the generic products, the number of insoluble microparticles was significantly higher than those of the original product, while in others it was lower. We evaluated the quality of the original and 7 generic preparations, measured the content of impurity and pH of the various ceftriaxone solutions, as impurity content and pH of solution are possible factor affecting compatibility. Three impurities were found in all products. The impurity content of several generic products, as estimated from their peak area on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was significantly lower than that of the original product. pH of solution was difference between products. Although it was difficult that impurity and pH of solution verify critical factor affecting compatibility. The results show that there are differences in the appearance of insoluble microparticles between the original product and seven generic products, when calcium chloride injection 2% solution is added to the product.