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Physicochemical stability of voriconazole in elastomeric devices
Objectives: Voriconazole is the drug of choice for invasive aspergillosis (IA), a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients. Prolong intravenous administration of voriconazole is often needed in such patients due to high incidence of oral mucositis and unreliable bioavailability of oral dosage form. Administration of voriconazole through elastomeric pump may facilitate early hospital discharge of clinically stable immunocompromised patients needing prolonged intravenous treatment. Therefore, we investigated the physicochemical stability of voriconazole in one of the commonly used elastomeric pumps at three different temperatures for various time points.
Methods: A total of 18 elastomeric pumps were prepared and 6 containing 2 mg/mL of voriconazole (3 in 0.9% sodium chloride and 3 in 5% glucose) were stored at either 4°C for 96 hours, 25°C for 4 hours or at 35°C for 4 hours. An aliquot withdrawn immediately before storage (time 0) and at various time points was analysed for chemical stability using high-performance liquid chromatography and for physical stability using visual, pH and microscopic analyses.
Results: Voriconazole was stable for at least 96 hours, 4 hours and 4 hours at 4°C, 25°C and 35°C, respectively, when admixed with either 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose. No evidence of particle formation, colour change or pH change was observed throughout the study period.
Conclusions: These findings would allow early hospital discharge using elastomeric intravenous administration of voriconazole in patients in whom oral route of administration is not available.
History
Publication title
European Journal of Hospital PharmacyVolume
e2Pagination
e88-e92ISSN
2047-9956Department/School
School of Pharmacy and PharmacologyPublisher
BMJ Publishing GroupPlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
© European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved.Repository Status
- Restricted