Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of three cytotoxic infusions in the Graseby 9000 ambulatory pump (Graseby Medical, Watford, UK) under both refrigerated storage and in-use conditions. The infusions studied were: (a) doxorubicin (2 mg/mL) plus vincristine (0.2 mg/mL) and (b) ifosfamide (20 mg/mL) plus mesna (20 mg/mL) and etoposide (0.5 mg/mL). In each case, the diluent was water for injection. Methods. Graseby 9000 medication cassettes, each containing one of three infusions studied, were incubated at either 8°C or 37°C to represent refrigerated storage or 'in-use' temperatures, respectively. Samples were withdrawn for chemical and physical analysis at various intervals. Chemical stability was determined using validated, stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatography methods. The assessment of physical stability included pH, appearance, moisture loss from cassettes, subvisual particulate counts, and leaching of diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) plasticiser from the medication cassettes. Results. Both the doxorubicin plus vincristine and the ifosfamide plus mesna infusions were physically and chemically stable in Graseby 9000 medication cassettes for 14 days at 8°C and for 7 days at 37°C . The etoposide infusion caused significant leaching of DEHP plasticiser from the Graseby cassette; in addition, one of the infusion cassettes stored at 8°C exhibited precipition of etoposide by day 10. Conclusion. Infusions of doxorubicin (2 mg/mL) plus vincristine (0.2 mg/mL) demonstrated acceptable stability in the Graseby 9000 device under refrigerated storage and ambulatory infusion conditions. Precipitation under refrigerated storage and significant leaching of DEHP would preclude the combination of etoposide infusion (0.5 mg/mL) and the Graseby 9000 pump for ambulatory administration.

Publication Date

1998-01-01

Publication Title

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice

Volume

4

Issue

3

First Page

143

Last Page

149

ISSN

1078-1552

Organisational Unit

School of Health Professions

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