Stability of ziprasidone mesylate in an extemporaneously compounded oral solution.

Objectives: To formulate a liquid preparation of ziprasidone in a convenient concentration to allow dosing of less than 20 mg and of sufficient chemical and physical stability to enable an entire prescription or course of treatment to be prepared in a single batch.

Methods: Geodon for injection (ziprasidone mesylate), 20 mg/mL, was diluted to 2.5 mg/mL in a commercially available sugar-free and alcohol-free, flavored syrup and stored at room temperature under ambient fluorescent light illumination, at room temperature in darkness, and under refrigeration. The ziprasidone content was measured in samples at various time intervals using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method.

Results: When refrigerated, the ziprasidone syrup that was compounded in a commercially available, sugar-free and alcohol-free vehicle maintained at least 90% of stated potency for at least 6 weeks. Samples stored under other conditions were less stable, underscoring the manufacturer's labeling regarding refrigerated storage of the reconstituted injection.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that chemical and physical stability are maintained for 2 weeks under refrigeration, allowing the convenience of compounding for the long-term needs of a particular patient, rather than daily compounding. The only storage condition we recommend is refrigeration at 5°C.