American journal of hospital pharmacy
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The stability of fentanyl citrate and bupivacaine hydrochloride in an admixture with 0.9% sodium chloride injection in portable pump reservoirs with or without overwraps was investigated. Twelve 100-mL samples containing fentanyl 20 micrograms/mL and bupivacaine hydrochloride 1250 micrograms/mL were placed in the plastic drug reservoirs, and 1-mL quantities were withdrawn immediately after preparation and at intervals during 30 days of storage. Six reservoirs were refrigerated (3 degrees C) and six stored at room temperature (23 degrees C); three at each temperature were placed in overwraps. ⋯ No precipitation or change in color or pH was observed during the 30-day storage period. No loss of fentanyl or bupivacaine was detected in either the wrapped or the unwrapped samples. Fentanyl citrate and bupivacaine hydrochloride in 0.9% sodium chloride injection appear to be compatible, and admixtures containing the two drugs at the concentrations studied can be stored without overwraps for up to 30 days at refrigerated or room temperature without any significant loss of potency.
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The stability of ranitidine in concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/mL in admixtures with commonly used i.v. fluids was studied. The admixture vehicles were 0.9% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose, 10% dextrose, 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride, and 5% dextrose with lactated Ringer's (DLR) injections in polyvinyl chloride bags. Three bags were prepared for each test solution and stored under each of the following conditions: seven days at room temperature (23 +/- 1 degrees C) in normal laboratory lighting, 30 days at 4 degrees C, and 60 days at -20 degrees C followed by either seven days at room temperature (in light) or 14 days at 4 degrees C. ⋯ Slight increases in the pH of some admixtures were noted. Ranitidine is stable for seven days at room temperature and 30 days at 4 degrees C at all concentrations and in all vehicles studied. At the studied concentrations, the drug is stable in admixtures frozen for 60 days and stored for seven days at room temperature or 14 days refrigerated, except in DLR admixtures; these admixtures should not be stored frozen.