Physical and chemical stability of palonosetron hydrochloride with five common parenteral drugs during simulated Y-site administration.

PURPOSE: The physical and chemical compatibility of palonosetron hydrochloride with atropine sulfate, famotidine, heparin sodium, lidocaine hydrochloride, and potassium chloride during simulated Y-site administration were studied.

METHODS

Test samples were prepared in duplicate by separately mixing 7.5-mL samples of undiluted palonosetron hydrochloride 50 microg/mL with 7.5-mL samples of atropine sulfate 0.4 mg/mL, famotidine 2 mg/mL, undiluted heparin sodium 100 units/mL, lidocaine hydrochloride 10 mg/mL, and potassium chloride 0.1 meq/mL diluted in 5% dextrose in colorless 15-mL borosilicate glass screw-cap culture tubes with polypropylene caps. Physical stability of the admixtures was assessed by visual examination and by measuring turbidity and particle size and content. Chemical stability of atropine sulfate, famotidine, heparin sodium, and lidocaine hydrochloride was assessed by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography. Potassium chloride concentration was determined by indirect potentiometry using a potassiumion selective electrode.

RESULTS

All of the samples of palonosetron hydrochloride with the test drugs were initially clear and colorless in normal fluorescent room light and when viewed with a Tyndall beam. Changes in turbidity for the samples were minor throughout the study. Measured particulates of 10 mum or larger were found to be few in number in all samples and remained so throughout the observation period. The admixtures remained colorless throughout the study. No loss of palonosetron hydrochloride occurred with any of the drugs over four hours. Similarly, little or no loss of the other drugs occurred in four hours.

CONCLUSION

Palonosetron hydrochloride is physically and chemically stable with atropine sulfate, famotidine, heparin sodium, lidocaine hydrochloride, and potassium chloride during simulated Y-site administration.