Effects of heat treatment on selected plasma therapeutic drug concentrations.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the heat stability of six common therapeutic drugs routinely assayed in pharmacokinetic and clinical laboratories.


METHODS
Serum samples were spiked at three concentrations (subtherapeutic, therapeutic, and potentially toxic) with amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, phenytoin, theophylline, and phenobarbital. The samples were then heated at 56 degrees C and assayed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay at 15-minute intervals for one hour.


METHODS
The study was conducted at a clinical research laboratory using standard laboratory methods.


METHODS
Drug concentrations of heated samples were compared with unheated controls using ANOVA to determine if degradation occurred over time with heating.


RESULTS
Analysis of data revealed no degradation of any of the samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Heat treatment of samples from high-risk individuals may be a mechanism to protect healthcare workers from exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus.
Delaney
R A
RA
Clinical Research Laboratory, Keesler Technical Training Center Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, MS 39534.
Mikkelsen
S L
SL
Jackson
M B
MB
D004355:Drug Stability; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010599:Pharmacokinetics