Stability of ceftazidime (with arginine) stored in plastic syringes at three temperatures

The stability of ceftazidime (with arginine) stored in plastic syringes at three temperatures was studied. Ceftazidime (with arginine) was reconstituted with sterile water for injection to a concentration of 100 mg/mL and transferred to plastic syringes. Syringes were stored at 22 degrees C for 24 hours; at 4 degrees C for 7 or 10 days, then at 22 degrees C for 24 hours; or at -20 degrees C for 91 days, then at 22 degrees C for 24 hours or at 4 degrees C for seven days followed by 22 degrees C for 24 hours. Ceftazidime concentration was measured at various times by using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method. At each sampling time, each syringe was visually inspected and the pH of each solution was measured. Mean ceftazidime concentration remained > 90% of initial concentration at all storage conditions. Although during storage the color of the solutions changed from light straw to dark yellow and the pH decreased, no precipitate was visually detected and no peaks for degradation products appeared on the chromatograms. Ceftazidime 100 mg/mL (with arginine) in sterile water for injection was stable when stored in plastic syringes for up to 24 hours at 22 degrees C, for 10 days at 4 degrees C followed by up to 24 hours at 22 degrees C, and for 91 days at -20 degrees C followed by up to 24 hours at 22 degrees C or by 7 days at 4 degrees C and up to 24 hours at 22 degrees C.