Abstract
Stability of meropenem infusions in a portable medication cassette stored in a bag enclosed by cooling elements
Background: Meropenem is a parenteral P-lactamase resistant broad spectrum carbapenem antibiotic. After dissolution, it is relatively unstable. Therefore, in the outpatient setting, it cannot be stored nor given as prolonged (continuous) infusion at room temperature.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical stability of meropenem solutions in a medication cassette packed in a bag enclosed by cooling elements (changed every 12 hours), stored at room temperature for 24 hours.
Design and methods: Meropenem was reconstituted and diluted with cold 0.9% sodium chloride (4.3 °C) to obtain solutions with concentrations of 12 mg/mL (n = 3) and 24 mg/mL (n = 3) in portable 250 mL CADD medication cassettes. Cassettes were individually enclosed by two frozen cooling elements and stored at room temperature for 24 hours. Cooling elements were changed every 12 hours. Samples were taken at t = 0 followed by a sample every 3 hours during 24 hours. Samples were analysed using a validated stability indicating high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method. Solutions retaining > 90% of the initial concentration were considered stable.
Results: All tested samples showed a meropenem concentration > 90% of the initial concentration. No degradation products were found.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that meropenem continuous infusion can be used in outpatient setting when above-mentioned conditions are met.
| Original language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 21-26 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Pharmaceutisch Weekblad |
| Volume | 159 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2-Feb-2024 |