Stability of piperacillin and ticarcillin in AutoDose Infusion System bags

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of piperacillin sodium 3 and 4 g/100 mL and ticarcillin disodium 3 g/100 mL each admixed in NaCl 0.9% injection packaged in AutoDose Infusion System bags. DESIGN: Triplicate test samples of the penicillin antibiotics in NaCl 0.9% injection were packaged in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic containers. AutoDose bags, designed for use in the AutoDose Infusion System. Samples were stored protected from light and evaluated at appropriate intervals for up to seven days at 23 degreesC and up to 30 days at 4 degreesC. Physical stability was assessed using turbidimetric and particulate measurement as well as visual inspection. Chemical stability was assessed by HPLC. RESULTS: All of the penicillin admixtures initially were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low initially and exhibited little change in the ticarcillin disodium samples throughout the study. The piperacillin sodium samples exhibited small increases in measured haze throughout the study, but no accompanying increase in particulates greater than or equal to1.04 mum was found. All samples were essentially colorless throughout the study. HPLC analysis found some decomposition in the samples. Piperacillin sodium exhibited a 9-10% loss after five days at 23 degreesC. In the samples stored at 4 degreesC, piperacillin sodium exhibited acceptable stability through 21 days of storage, but losses exceeded 10% after 30 days. Ticarcillin disodium exhibited a 7% loss after three days but 14% after five days at 23 degreesC. Less than 7% loss occurred after 21 days, but 12% loss after 30 days at 4 degreesC. CONCLUSIONS: Piperacillin sodium and ticarcillin disodium exhibited physical and chemical stability consistent with previous studies on these drugs. The AutoDose Infusion System bags were not found to adversely affect the physical and chemical stability of these penicillin antibiotics.