Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
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J Pharm Biomed Anal · Apr 1996
Stability and compatibility studies of zorubicin in intravenous fluids and PVC infusion bags.
The stability of zorubicin (ZOR) in admixtures for continuous intravenous infusion was studied. ZOR was reconstituted and diluted to 600 micrograms ml-1 for simulated infusion and to 250 and 1000 micrograms ml-1 for storage in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) bags containing 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection (0.9% NaCl). Bags were then stored at refrigerated temperature (4 degrees C) and in the dark for 24 h. ⋯ Changes in pH, particularly a decrease, seem to affect adversely the stability of ZOR. In fact, ZOR is rapidly converted into daunorubicin, the dominant degradation product, which is more cardiotoxic than the parent drug. Therefore, several precautions must be observed when the commercial product (Rubidazone) is prepared and reconstituted in i.v. fluids and containers.