Stability of Five Beta-Lactam Antibiotics in Sterile Water for Injection and Stored in Plastic Syringes

摘要

The intermittent intravenous administration of antibiotics by the syringe-infusion pump system is currently being promoted. To use this system, a dose of medication is prepared in 10-20ml of sterile water for injection and stored in plastic disposable syringes. At the time of administration, the syringe is placed in a syringe pump which infuses the solution via a micropore tube through a patient's primary intravenous line or heparin lock. In order to use this system efficiently, the stability of the drugs must be known. Most stability information is based on the minibag or minibottle system, where the medication is diluted in 50-100ml of normal saline or 5% dextrose in water. Stability data on high concentrations (1-2gm/10-20ml) in sterile water for injection is very limited. Five beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, cefazolin, cefoxitin, piperacillin and ticarcillin) were studied at concentrations of 1-2gm/10-20ml of sterile water for injection and stored in plastic syringes at 24 deg C, 40 deg C and -15 deg C. The concentration of the antibiotic at several times intervals was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography.