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Published on: July 13, 2015
Stability of succinylcholine chloride injection
1Hospital Pharmacy, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Succinylcholine chloride injection is stable for at least two years when refrigerated. Sterilization at 100°C allows for five months of room temperature storage if protected from light.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Drug Stability Studies
Background:
- Hospital pharmacies prepare succinylcholine chloride injection.
- Understanding drug stability is crucial for safe and effective patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the stability of succinylcholine chloride injection under various storage and sterilization conditions.
- To determine optimal storage conditions for maintaining drug potency.
Main Methods:
- Succinylcholine chloride injection batches were prepared and subjected to different pH levels and sterilization methods (100°C and 121°C).
- Stability was assessed under refrigeration and various temperatures, with and without light exposure, using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Main Results:
- Sterilization at 100°C for 30 minutes did not significantly impact succinylcholine chloride stability, unlike 121°C treatment.
- Refrigerated storage (4-6°C) maintained drug integrity for over 23 months.
- Storage at room temperature (20-26°C) for five months, 35°C for one month, or 70°C for one day resulted in a 10% drug loss.
- Protection from light initially slowed degradation.
- TLC was more sensitive than HPLC for stability assessments.
Conclusions:
- Succinylcholine chloride injection sterilized at 100°C is stable for up to five months at room temperature when protected from light.
- The preparation demonstrates excellent long-term stability (≥2 years) under refrigeration.
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