[Physical compatibility of amiodarone in continuous infusion].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the physical compatibility of amiodarone administered in Y-site with other continuous infusion drugs, in order to ensure stability and safe delivery to the patient.

METHOD

Experimental in vitro study. We determined the physical compatibility of amiodarone with drugs commonly used in the intensive care unit as a continuous infusion, simulating the same conditions as in daily practice: container, solvent, temperature and fluorescent light. All samples were evaluated by visual observation procedures, looking for colour changes, turbidity, precipitation or gas formation, pH measurement and spectrophotometer absorption at wavelengths: 450 nm and 620 nm to detect colour changes, cloudiness and precipitation, respectively. Compatible mixtures were considered as those that showed no physical changes, variability in pH < 0.50 and the spectral range < 0.010.

RESULTS

We analysed 39 samples: 14 single, 13 doubles, 6 triples and 6 quadruples, which were examined at different time intervals: 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. Non-compatible mixtures showed immediate visual changes and higher absorbance values of 0.010 nm. There were no significant changes in pH during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Amiodarone is physically compatible with cisatracurium haloperidol, insulin, midazolam, morphine, nimodipine, nitroglycerin and urapidil and incompatible with bicarbonate, furosemide, heparin and thiopental.