Compatibility and stability of palonosetron hydrochloride with four neruomuscular blocking agents during simulated...

Palonosetron hydrochloride is a longer-acting selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist that has been approved for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and is being evaluated for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical stability of palonosetron hydrochloride 50 mcg/mL when mixed with any of the neuromuscular blocking drugs cisatracurium besylate 0.5 mg/mL, rocuronium bromide 1 mg/mL, succinylcholine chloride 2 mg/mL, and vecuronium bromide 1 mg/mL during simulated Y-site administration. Triplicate samples of palonosetron hydrochloride with each of the neuromuscular blocking drugs were tested. Samples were stored and evaluated for up to 4 hours at room temperature. Physical stability was assessed by turbidimetric and particulate measurements and visual inspection. Chemical stability was assessed by high-performnace liquid chromatography. All of the admixtures were clear and colorless when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and when viewed with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low initially and remained low throughout the study. The drug concentration was unchanged in all of the samples tested. Palonosetron hydrochloride is physically and chemically stable with cisatracurium besylate, rocuronium bromide, succinylcholine chloride, or vecuronium bromide at the concentrations tested during simulated Y-site administration over 4 hours at ambient room temperature.