Chemical and physical compatibility of levalbuterol inhalation solution concentrate mixed with budesonide, ipratropium bromide, cromolyn sodium, or acetylcysteine sodium.
BACKGROUND
Medications are frequently combined in the nebulizer cup, so it is important to determine their chemical and physical compatibility.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the chemical and physical compatibility of levalbuterol with ipratropium bromide, cromolyn sodium, acetylcysteine sodium, and budesonide.


METHODS
We mixed one dose of levalbuterol inhalation solution concentrate (1.25 mg/0.5 mL) with one dose of ipratropium bromide (0.5 mg/2.5 mL), cromolyn sodium (20 mg/2 mL), acetylcysteine sodium (1,000 mg/5 mL), or budesonide (0.5 mg/2 mL). Immediately after mixing the 2 drugs (time zero [T(0)]), and again after 30 min at room temperature (T(30)), we visually inspected the admixtures, measured their pH, and conducted high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
There was no evidence of physical incompatibility with these drugs combinations. With all the admixtures, both drugs were chemically stable for at least 30-min. Admixture pH had not changed significantly at T(30). Drug recovery was 93.2-102.6% of the initial or control values.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2-drug admixtures we studied were compatible for at least 30 min at room temperature.
Bonasia
Philip J
PJ
Sepracor, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA.
McVicar
William K
WK
Bill
Williams
W
Ong
Shaowei
S
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004355:Drug Stability; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D009241:Ipratropium; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D000420:Albuterol; D000111:Acetylcysteine