Stability of meropenem in polyvinyl chloride bags and an elastomeric infusion device.

Purpose: The stability of meropenem in i.v. solutions stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags and an elastomeric infusion device at concentrations commonly used in home care was studied.

Methods: Vials of meropenem were reconstituted with sterile water for injection and mixed with 0.9% sodium chloride injection (NS) to yield concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Six replicate solutions were prepared in PVC containers and six in the Homepump ECLIPSE elastomeric infusion device. All solutions were stored at an average temperature of 5 degrees C and sampled immediately after preparation and at intervals up to 120 hours (five days); the 4-mg/mL solution was also sampled at 144 and 168 hours (seven days). Samples were assayed for meropenem concentration by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results: All solutions of meropenem retained over 90% of the initial drug concentration at five days. The 4-mg/mL solutions retained over 93% of the initial concentration at seven days. The rate of meropenem decay did not differ significantly between PVC and elastomeric infusion containers for the 4- and 20-mg/mL solutions; however, there was a difference for the 10-mg/mL solutions.

Conclusion: Meropenem 4 mg/mL in NS was stable for at least seven days in PVC bags and elastomeric infusion containers when stored at 5 degrees C, and meropenem 10 and 20 mg/mL in NS was stable for at least five days in both containers at 5 degrees C.