Stability of disodium azodisalicylate (olsalazine) and metabolites in urine and faeces stored at different temperatures.
METHODS
The stability of disodium azodisalicylate, 5-aminosalicylic acid and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid dissolved in distilled water and in urine or mixed with faeces to which HgCl2 was added, was studied at -20 degrees C, 4 degrees C and room temperature.


RESULTS
In water, no marked differences were found between the three storage regimens. In urine, disodium azodisalicylate and acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid were stable, while the 5-ASA concentration decreased when stored at 4 degrees C and room temperature. In faeces stored during seven days, a marked decrease in 5-aminosalicylic acid concentration to about zero was found when it was kept at 4 degrees C and room temperature. No marked change in the concentration of disodium azodisalicylate and 5-aminosalicylic acid added to the faeces-HgCl2-mixtures appeared.
van Hogezand
R A
RA
Department of Medicine, St. Radboud Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van Schaik
A
A
van Hees
P A
PA
van Tongeren
J H
JH
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D004355:Drug Stability; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D019804:Mesalamine; D013696:Temperature
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D019804:Mesalamine; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; C028836:N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid; C032587:olsalazine