title: Stability studies of binary mixtures of haloperidol and/or midazolam with other drugs for parenteral administration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haloperidol and or midazolam are frequently combined with other drugs in the same solution and infused parenterally over several days to treat symptoms. The solutions may be delivered to the home well in advance of the time of administration. Consequently, physiochemical stability of these combinations needs to be studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine the stability and physical compatibility of binary mixtures of haloperidol with morphine, scopolamine and midazolam and binary mixtures of midazolam with scopolamine and morphine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixtures of drugs were prepared under aseptic conditions in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose at concentrations used clinically for continuous infusion and stored in synthetic polyisoprenoid containers at room temperature in the presence of light for 15 days. Chemical stability was evaluated by high pressure liquid chromatography. Physical compatibility was tested by visual inspection for evidence of precipitation and color change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No changes in color, precipitation of the components, or measurable losses of volume were noted. The majority of the combinations tested were stable for 15 days (T(90) >/= 15 day). However, the mixture of haloperidol and morphine reached T(90) at 10 and 9 days. The mixture containing haloperidol and scopolamine was stable for only 1 day (T(90) </= 1 day).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Common combinations of medications to control symptoms are compatible when mixed in 5% glucose or 0.9% sodium chloride. However, stability over 15 days is not uniform.
authors: Servicio de Farmacia Hospital, Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain.
authors: María Amparo Martínez
authors: MA
authors: Gómez
authors: Víctor Jiménez
authors: VJ
authors: Arenas
authors: Matilde Merino
authors: MM
authors: Sanjuán
authors: María José Medina
authors: MJ
authors: Hernández
authors: Concepción Borrás
authors: CB
authors: Almenar
authors: Víctor Jiménez
authors: VJ
authors: Torres
mesh_terms: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000379:methods; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006220:Haloperidol; D008874:Midazolam