Stability of intravenous admixtures of doxorubicin and vincristine

Am J Hosp Pharm. 1986 Dec;43(12):3022-7.

Abstract

The stability of doxorubicin and vincristine in admixtures containing both drugs in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 0.45% sodium chloride and Ringer's acetate injection, and 0.45% sodium chloride and 2.5% dextrose injection was studied. Doxorubicin hydrochloride was added to 30-mL quantities of each base solution to achieve initial doxorubicin concentrations of 1.40 mg/mL and to 0.9% sodium chloride injection to achieve concentrations of 1.88 and 2.37 mg/mL. Vincristine sulfate was added to each doxorubicin admixture to achieve vincristine concentrations of 0.033 and 0.053 mg/mL. All admixtures were protected from light and stored in polysiloxan bags that are used with portable delivery devices. Admixtures were kept at temperatures of 25, 30, and 37 degrees C. Samples withdrawn immediately after preparation and at 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography for content of each drug. The stability of doxorubicin was dependent on temperature and composition of the base solution. Analysis of data from the samples containing 0.45% sodium chloride and Ringer's acetate injection showed that doxorubicin concentrations were less than 90% of the initial concentration by 12 hours at 37 degrees C, 35 hours at 30 degrees C, and 62 hours at 25 degrees C, and visual changes occurred in all of these admixtures over the course of the study. Vincristine degradation also was most rapid in 0.45% sodium chloride and Ringer's acetate admixtures. Data analysis showed that concentrations of vincristine were less than 90% of initial after eight days at 25 degrees C, five days at 30 degrees C, and three days at 37 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Doxorubicin* / administration & dosage
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Stability
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Solutions
  • Temperature
  • Vincristine* / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Solutions
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin