Abstract
The physical compatibility and chemical stability of aztreonam and vancomycin hydrochloride when combined at clinically used high and low concentrations were studied. Admixtures consisting of aztreonam 4 mg/mL and vancomycin 1 mg/mL (as the hydrochloride salt) in 5% dextrose injection, aztreonam 4 mg/mL and vancomycin 1 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, aztreonam 40 mg/mL and vancomycin 10 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection, and aztreonam 40 mg/mL and vancomycin 10 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were prepared in triplicate in polyvinyl chloride containers. Three containers of each type of admixture were stored at 4, 23, and 32°C. Samples were removed immediately and at various time points over 31 days. Compatibility was assessed by visual examination, with a turbidimeter, and with a particle sizer-counter. Stability was determined by stability- indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All the admixtures initially appeared clear to the unaided eye after the disappearance of a transient white swirl in the high-concentration admixtures (aztreonam 40 mg/mL and vancomycin 10 mg/mL). However, the high-concentration admixtures immediately developed unacceptable levels of a microcrystalline precipitate when viewed with a high-intensity fiber-optic light source. Easily visible gross turbidity and precipitation formed after various periods but often within 24 hours. HPLC showed aztreonam 4 mg/mL and vancomycin 1 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection to be a stable combination for 7 days at 32 °C, 14 days at 23 °C, and 31 days at 4 °C. In 0.9% sodium chloride injection, the drugs in the low-concentration admixtures were stable for 7 days at 32 °C and for 31 days at 4 and 23 °C. Stability of the combination in the high- concentration admixtures was maintained for 3 days at 23 and 32 °C and for 14 days at 4 °C. Aztreonam and vancomycin hydrochloride were considerably less compatible and stable in the high-concentration admixtures than in the low-concentration ones.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2560-2564 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 22 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- Additives
- Antibiotics
- Aztreonam
- Concentration
- Containers
- Dextrose
- Diluents
- In compatibilities
- Injections
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Precipitation
- Sodium chloride
- Stability
- Storage
- Temperature
- Vancomycin hydrochloride
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Health Policy