title: [Optimum preparation of levocarnitine chloride solution in the hospital pharmacy].
abstract: Levocarnitine chloride is used for the therapeutic purpose of levocarnitine deficiency. For infants, however, levocarnitine chloride tablets must be crushed to avoid difficulties associated with swallowing, and also to administer an appropriately low dosage. Since the tablet is extremely hygroscopic and sour, it is dissolved in water containing simple syrup after crushing. In this study we investigated the stability of the drug after dissolution to optimize its preparation for clinical use. It was shown to be stable for at least 90 days after preparation, and microbes did not grow in 1-10% (w/v) solutions (pH 2.0-2.5) regardless of the presence or absence of simple syrup. Furthermore, the autoclaved levocarnitine chloride solution was as stable as the non-autoclaved one. In conclusion, the method employed in our hospital for the preparation of levocarnitine chloride for infants is appropriate and is recommended as a standard medicine supply method among different facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kagawa University Hospital, Japan. tanahiro@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asakura
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Noriyasu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukuoka
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Akinobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okabe
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Negayama
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Houchi
mesh_terms: D002331:Carnitine; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D012996:Solutions; D013242:Sterilization; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D002331:Carnitine