Stability of aqueous perchlorate formulations.

The stability of three aqueous perchlorate formulations used in nuclear medicine was studied as a function of the formulation and storage temperature. The formulations were intravenous potassium perchlorate solution, oral sodium perchlorate-sorbitol solution and oral potassium perchlorate in cherry syrup solution. The assays were conducted gravimetrically by precipitation with tetra-n-pentylammonium bromide. All formulations were found to be stable at least nine months. It is recommended that any formulation containing potassium perchlorate be kept at room temperature since precipitation of the active ingredient may occur if refrigerated. Sodium perchlorate formulations, however, may be refrigerated if desired because of their greater solubility.