Doward L. Gilbert

Compatibility of Medications With 3-in-1 Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures

BACKGROUND The absence of drug compatibility information with 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition admixtures has been problematic. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the physical compatibility of 106 selected drugs during simulated Y-site injection into nine different 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition admixture formulations. METHODS Four-milliliter samples of each of the representative 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition admixture formulations were combined in a 1:1 ratio with 4-mL samples of each of 106 drugs, including supportive care drugs, anti-infectives, and antineoplastic drugs. Six replicate samples of each combination were prepared. Two samples were evaluated initially after mixing, two more after 1 hour, and the last two after 4 hours at 23 degrees C. At each test interval, the samples were subjected to centrifugation, causing the fat to rise to the top. The top fat layer and most of the aqueous phase were removed, and the remaining liquid was diluted with about 7 mL of particle-free, high-performance liquid chromatography-grade water to facilitate observation of any particulates that might have formed. Visual examinations were performed in normal diffuse fluorescent laboratory light and under high-intensity, monodirectional light. RESULTS Most of the drugs tested were physically compatible with the 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition admixtures for 4 hours at 23 degrees C. However, 23 drugs exhibited various incompatibilities with one or more of the parenteral nutrition admixtures. Six drugs resulted in the formation of precipitate with some or all of the admixtures. Seventeen drugs caused disruption of the emulsion, usually with oiling out. CONCLUSIONS Most of the test drugs were physically compatible with the nine representative 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition admixtures. However, the 23 drugs that resulted in incompatibilities should not be administered simultaneously with the incompatible parenteral nutrition admixtures via a Y injection site.

Compatibility and Stability of Paclitaxel Combined with Cisplatin and with Carboplatin in Infusion Solutions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical compatibility and chemical stability of paclitaxel at concentrations of 0.3 and 1.2 mg/mL with cisplatin 0.2 mg/mL in NaCl 0.9% injection and with carboplatin 2 mg/mL in NaCl 0.9% injection and dextrose 5% injection over 7 days at 4, 23, and 32°C. DESIGN: The test samples were prepared in polyolefin bags of the infusion solutions at the required drug concentrations. Evaluations were performed initially and after 4 hours, and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage at temperatures of 4, 23, and 32°C for physical and chemical stability. Physical stability was assessed by using visual observation in normal light and using a high-intensity monodirectional light beam. In addition, turbidity and particle content were measured electronically. Chemical stability of the three drugs was evaluated by using three stability-indicating HPLC analytical techniques. RESULTS: All samples were physically stable through 1 day. However, microcrystalline precipitation of paclitaxel occurred in 3 days in some samples and within 5 days in all samples. Paclitaxel concentrations remained above 90% in all samples throughout the study. Cisplatin admixtures exhibited paclitaxel concentration-dependent decomposition with cisplatin losses of approximately 5–8% in 4 hours and approximately 20% in 1 day at 23 and 32°C in the paclitaxel 1.2 mg/mL admixtures. With paclitaxel 0.3 mg/mL in the admixtures, cisplatin losses were about 10% in 7 days at these temperatures. Carboplatin in admixtures with both concentrations of paclitaxel was stable for 7 days at 4°C, but sustained losses of about 10% and 12% in 3 days at 23 and 32°C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Admixtures of paclitaxel 0.3 and 1.2 mg/mL with cisplatin and carboplatin are limited in their utility time by both paclitaxel microcrystalline precipitation and decomposition of cisplatin and carboplatin. The admixture of paclitaxel 1.2 mg/mL with cisplatin 0.2 mg/mL in NaCl 0.9% injection exhibits unacceptable cisplatin loss in 24 hours. All other combinations were physically and chemically stable for at least 24 hours at 4, 23, and 32°C.

Compatibility of Gemcitabine Hydrochloride with 107 Selected Drugs During Simulated Y-Site Injection

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physical compatibility of gemcitabine hydrochloride (Gemzar-Eli Lilly and Company) with 107 selected drugs. DESIGN Controlled experimental trial. SETTING Laboratory. INTERVENTIONS Samples of 5 mL gemcitabine (as the hydrochloride salt) 10 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were mixed with 5 mL samples of the selected drugs diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride injection or, if necessary to avoid incompatibilities with the diluent, 5% dextrose injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual examinations of the samples were performed in normal fluorescent light with the unaided eye and using a Tyndall beam (high-intensity monodirectional light) to enhance visualization of small particles and low-level haze. The turbidity of each sample was measured as well. In selected samples, electronic particle content assessment was performed. All of the samples were assessed initially and at 1 and 4 hours. RESULTS Most of the drugs were physically compatible with gemcitabine hydrochloride during the 4-hour observation period. However, 15 drug combinations had incompatibilities that included color change, increase in haze or turbidity, particulate formation, and gross precipitation: acyclovir sodium, amphotericin B, cefoperazone sodium, cefotaxime sodium, furosemide, ganciclovir sodium, imipenem-cilastatin sodium, irinotecan, methotrexate sodium, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, mezlocillin disodium, mitomycin, piperacillin sodium, piperacillin sodium/tazobactam sodium, and prochlorperazine edisylate. CONCLUSION Gemcitabine hydrochloride 10 mg/mL admixed in a compatible infusion solution is physically compatible for 4 hours at room temperature with 92 of 107 tested drugs. Simultaneous Y-site administration of gemcitabine hydrochloride with the 15 drugs resulting in incompatibilities should be avoided.