title: Photostability of epinephrine - the influence of bisulfite and degradation products.
abstract: Sulfites are previously demonstrated to increase the photodegradation of epinephrine. The aim of this study was to clarify the factors responsible for this effect. Adrenochrome sulfonate seems to be the important substance. Photoproduction of singlet oxygen is indicated to be the mechanism by which adrenochrome sulfonate acts. Protection of epinephrine solutions from irradiation <418 nm prevented the photodegradation. A reaction pathway for thephotochemical decomposition of epinephrine in the presence of bisulfite is suggested.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Oslo, Norway. Jorgeb@farmasi.uio.no
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brustugun
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: H Hjorth
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tønnesen
mesh_terms: D000323:Adrenochrome / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004355:Drug Stability; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008027:Light; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013447:Sulfites / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013447:Sulfites; D000323:Adrenochrome; D004837:Epinephrine