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Stability of cefepime and metronidazole prepared for simplified administration as a single product

Thomas D Nolin1, Daniel A Lambert, Robert C Owens

  • 1Department of Pharmacy Services, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04102, USA.

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|June 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study found that cefepime and metronidazole admixtures are stable for therapeutic use. This combination offers a practical and cost-effective treatment for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Cefepime and metronidazole are crucial antibiotics for treating aerobic and anaerobic infections.
  • A single intravenous admixture of these antibiotics could offer a simpler, cost-effective therapeutic option.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the stability of cefepime and metronidazole when combined in a single admixture.
  • To evaluate the feasibility of this admixture as a practical therapeutic alternative.

Main Methods:

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to assess drug concentrations.
  • Stability was evaluated at 4°C and 23°C for up to 336 hours with varying cefepime and metronidazole concentrations.

Main Results:

  • Cefepime remained stable (>95%) at 4°C for 336 hours and at 23°C for up to 48-72 hours, depending on metronidazole concentration.
  • Metronidazole was stable (>94%) in all samples for up to 336 hours.
  • The admixture demonstrated good stability under tested conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Cefepime and metronidazole can be formulated as a single, stable intravenous admixture.
  • This combination is a feasible and practical option for treating infections caused by a broad spectrum of aerobic and anaerobic pathogens.

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