Stability of admixture containing morphine sulfate, bupivacaine hydrochloride, and clonidine hydrochloride in an implantable infusion system.

Intrathecal infusion is often performed using drug combinations. This study was conducted to evaluate the stability of the admixture of morphine sulfate, bupivacaine hydrochloride, and clonidine hydrochloride when used in an implantable pump under simulated clinical use conditions. SynchroMed implantable pumps were filled with an admixture and incubated at 37 degrees C for a period of 90 days.

Simultaneous identification and quantitation of codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone in urine as trimethylsilyl and oxime derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Following enzymatic hydrolysis of urine, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone uses hydroxylamine to form oxime derivatives of the keto-opiates (i.e., hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone).

The purchase decision process and involvement of the elderly regarding nonprescription products.

The elderly or senior citizen is a large and growing market segment that purchases a disproportionate amount of health care products, particularly nonprescription products. This study attempts to examine the elderly's level of involvement (high versus low) and their purchase decision process regarding nonprescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products. Frequencies and percentages are calculated to indicate level of involvement as well as purchase decision behavior.

Over-the-counter pharmaceuticals: exploratory research of consumer preference toward solid oral dosage forms.

The capsule dosage form in nonprescription pharmaceuticals persists as being one of the most vulnerable to product tampering. This study examines consumer preference toward three solid oral dosage forms (capsules, caplets, and tablets) in nonprescription products. Thirteen independent variables representing dosage form attributes are measured on semantic differential scales.

Alcohol-specific cocaine metabolites in serum and urine of hospitalized patients.

The serum and urine from 44 consecutive patients that tested positive for the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE) were examined for free cocaine, ecgonine methyl ester (EME), and other metabolites by gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In 13 of these patients, unique ethanol-related cocaine metabolites, cocaethylene and ecognine ethyl ester (EEE), were detected in urine and serum. One was from a newborn baby whose mother's blood was positive for cocaine and negative for cocaethylene.