STABILITY AND COMPATIBILITY STUDIES OF VINBLASTINE, VINCRISTINE, VINDESINE AND VINORELBINE WITH PVC INFUSION BAGS

A rapid isocratic technique was developed for the analysis of vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine and vinorelbine) in parenteral solutions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection and an Intersphere CN column. The availability and compatibility of drugs from solutions infused via plastic infusion bags through plastic administration sets have been examined. No significant drug loss was observed during simulated infusions (n = 4) for 2 h using PVC infusion bags and administration sets. No significant difference was found between infusion solutions (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). The stability of drugs was also studied in solution in PVC bags after storage at 4-degrees-C with protection from light. The results show the stability of vinblastine, vincristine and vindesine during 7 days of storage to be satisfactory, irrespective of the infusion solution (5% glucose or 0.9% NaCl). In the case of vinorelbine, the stability of the drug was greater in 5% glucose (7 days) than in 0.9% NaCl (3 days).