Multitemperature stability and degradation characteristics of pergolide mesylate oral liquid.

The stability of pergolide mesylate in an oral aqueous liquid was studied. Stability and solubility data were used to determine the degradation characteristics of the drug in this formulation. Samples were stored in the dark at 35°C, 45°C, and 60°C. At 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, samples were removed and stored in a -80°C freezer for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay at a later date. The initial drug concentration of 0.30 mg/mL was determined by assay after storage at -80°C. A solubility of 6.9 mg/mL was found for pergolide mesylate in the oral liquid at room temperature with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.0%. The degradation process is considered first-order at 25°C and 35°C. At higher temperatures (45°C and 60°C), a color change and curvature at the latter time points in degradation profiles are ascribed to the presence of methylcellulose. The activation energy calculated for degradation of pergolide mesylate in the oral liquid was 21.3 kcal/mol. The time to reach 90% potency (t90) values were calculated to be 43 days and 3 days, respectively, for storage at 25°C and 35°C. Drug concentrations up to ~6 mg/mL can be maintained as a solution at room temperature with this formulation.