Comparison of ceftazidime degradation in glass bottles and plastic bags under various conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of type of container on ceftazidime stability in intravenous solutions.

METHODS

One hundred millilitre polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags and 100-mL glass bottles were filled with 5% dextrose or 0.9% sodium chloride solutions containing ceftazidime (Fortumset) at 40 mg/mL. Three containers of each solution were stored at 20 and 35 degrees C. One millilitre samples were drawn from each container at 0 and 20 h and assayed. Pyridine concentrations, the main degradation product of ceftazidime, were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Pyridine levels increased during storage and were higher in PVC and PP bags than in glass bottles in both diluents. Solutions stored in PP bags showed better stability than in PVC bags.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that ceftazidime undergoes slower degradation in PP than PVC containers although the difference is small. Glass bottles seems to be the better container for storing ceftazidime solutions, whatever storage temperature and diluent used.