Stability of vecuronium in sterile water for injection stored in polypropylene syringes for 21 days.
OBJECTIVE
The stability of vecuronium bromide 1 mg/mL in preservative-free sterile water for injection for up to 21 days was studied.


METHODS
A vecuronium bromide 1-mg/mL solution was prepared by diluting 15 vials of 10-mg Vecuronium Bromide for Injection, USP, powder with preservative-free sterile water for injection and adding the solution to an evacuated i.v. bag. Identical 10-mL volumes of the solution were prepared and stored at 23-25 or 3-5 degrees C in polypropylene syringes. The stability of vecuronium was analyzed in triplicate with stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography immediately after preparation of solutions and at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The samples were also inspected for volume and color change and for visible precipitation and microbial growth.


RESULTS
The percentage of the initial vecuronium bromide concentration remaining at each time point was greater than 100% at both 23-25 and 3-5 degrees C. There were no detectable changes in volume or color and no precipitation or visible microbial growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Vecuronium bromide in an extemporaneously prepared solution in preservative-free sterile water for injection was stable for at least 21 days at 23-25 or 3-5 degrees C.
Johnson
Cary E
CE
College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan (UM), Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1065, USA. cejohn@umich.edu
Cober
Mary Petrea
MP
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000379:methods; D007267:Injections; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013242:Sterilization; D013594:Syringes; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D011126:Polypropylenes; D014867:Water; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide