Stability and visual compatibility of bretylium tosylate with selected large-volume parenterals and additives

The stability of bretylium tosylate when mixed with large-volume parenteral (LVP) solutions was assessed over a four-week period, and the compatibility of bretylium tosylate when mixed with eight frequently used drugs was evaluated. Bretylium tosylate admixtures of approximately 1 mg/ml were prepared in both polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags and glass bottles of 5% dextrose injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and lactated Ringer's injection. The admixtures were examined visually and stored for four weeks at 25 +/- 0.5 degree C under fluorescent light. The concentrations of bretylium tosylate were determined spectrophotometrically at times 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 8, 24, and 48 hours and twice weekly thereafter for four weeks. Spectrophotometric assays were confirmed with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Admixtures of bretylium tosylate were prepared with aminophylline, calcium gluconate, digoxin, regular insulin, lidocaine hydrochloride, phenytoin sodium, procainamide hydrochloride, and quinidine gluconate in 5% dextrose injection and 0.9% sodium chloride injection. The admixtures were examined visually for 48 hours. The concentration of bretylium tosylate did not change appreciably during the four-week study period. There were no signs of haze, precipitation, color change, or evolution of gas. There were no apparent differences in stability when comparing the glass with the PVC containers. Bretylium tosylate was also found to be compatible with all the additives tested except phenytoin sodium; a precipitate formed immediately when the latter drug was added to the bretylium tosylate solution. Bretylium tosylate was stable for four weeks in the LVP solutions studied in both glass and PVC containers. The admixtures of bretylium sodium with the other drugs were all visually compatible except those containing phenytoin sodium.