title: Stability of fentanyl, bupivacaine and adrenaline solutions for extradural infusion.
abstract: Fentanyl and bupivacaine were tested for their stability when diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to 4 micrograms ml-1 and 0.1% respectively, in 100-ml polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags, alone and in combination, with and without adrenaline 1:200,000. Changes in drug concentration and pH were investigated for 56 days. The combination of fentanyl, bupivacaine and adrenaline was tested under varying environmental conditions of 35 degrees C, 4 degrees C, -18 degrees C, room temperature, darkness and after autoclaving. Fentanyl and bupivacaine were adsorbed onto PVC, resulting in reductions of 12.6% and 9.6% drug mass, respectively, at day 3, but remained stable thereafter. Adrenaline was progressively degraded to a maximum reduction of 37.3% at 35 degrees C by day 56. Solutions containing adrenaline became more acidic over 56 days. Fentanyl and bupivacaine were stable.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bjorksten
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Beemer
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004355:Drug Stability; D004837:Epinephrine; D005283:Fentanyl; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012996:Solutions / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005283:Fentanyl; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004837:Epinephrine