Stability of three cephalosporin antibiotics in AutoDose Infusion System bags

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of three commonly used cephalosporin antibiotic solutions packaged in AutoDose Infusion System bags stored and evaluated at appropriate intervals for up to 7 days at 23 degrees C and up to 30 days at 4 degrees C.

Setting: Laboratory.

Interventions: The test samples were prepared by adding the required amount of the cephalosporin antibiotic to the AutoDose Infusion System bags and diluting to the target concentration with 0.9% sodium chloride injection.

Main outcome measures: Physical stability and chemical stability based on drug concentrations initially and at appropriate intervals over periods of up to 7 days at 23 degrees C and up to 30 days at 4 degrees C.

Results: All of the cephalosporin admixtures were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low and exhibited little change. The cefazolin sodium-containing samples were colorless throughout the study. The admixtures with ceftazidime and ceftriaxone sodium had a slight yellow tinge initially, and the room temperature samples turned a frank yellow color after 5 days. The refrigerated samples did not change color. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that cefazolin sodium and ceftriaxone sodium remained stable for 30 days and ceftazidime remained stable for 7 days at 4 degrees C. At room temperature, losses were much more rapid. Cefazolin sodium and ceftriaxone sodium retained at least 90% of their initial concentrations through 7 days and 5 days, respectively, when stored at 23 degrees C. Ceftazidime remained stable for only 1 day at 23 degrees C.

Conclusion: Cefazolin sodium, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone sodium exhibited physical and chemical stabilities consistent with those found in previous studies of these drugs. The AutoDose Infusion System bags did not adversely affect the physical and chemical stabilities of these three cephalosporin antibiotics.