A single-center cost analysis assessing a change in vasopressin formulation.

Purpose: Cost savings achieved at an academic medical center by reformulating the institution's standard vasopressin infusions to reduce waste are described.

Summary: After a retrospective review of vasopressin utilization over a 4-month period revealed that only approximately 40% of dispensed vasopressin units were actually administered to patients, pharmacy leaders determined that the institution's standard vasopressin concentration for continuous infusions (100 units in 100 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% injection) was resulting in substantial waste, as many infusion preparations were not needed within the 18- to 24-hour expiration window.