Stability of adrenaline in ambulance and drug storage room Narenthorn Center, Rajavithi Hospital.

BACKGROUND

The stability and quality of Adrenaline medications were advocated 2 to be stored in temperature labeled at 2 degrees C to 8 degrees C at drug storage room. Thailand is located in a tropical area with the average room temperature within 25 degrees C. There was no previous study of adrenaline medication stability and quality in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the stability and quality of Adrenaline stored at room temperature in Ambulance and drug storage room of Narenthorn center, Rajavithi Hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Forty vials of Adrenaline Bitartrade were stored at the temperature in each season for a period of 4 weeks. Half were stored in one Ambulance and the other half in a drug storage room. Samples were then analyzed for their appearance, pH and using stability indicating High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

The average temperature in the drug storage rooms were 30 degrees C, 28 degrees C and 27 degrees C in hot, rainy and cool seasons respectively; and 34 degrees C, 32 degrees C and 31 degrees C in Narenthorn Ambulance. The appearance of adrenaline was not changed as it was still clear. The average pH is 3.18 to 3.36. Adrenaline was found to be stable when storage in both ambulance and drug storage room. The percent drug remaining was 90 Ia% to 115 Ia%. There was no significant difference in between drug quality the two storage places (p = 0.792). No significant difference was found in the percent drug remaining between the hot and cool season. There was significant difference in the percent drug remaining between the rainy season from other seasons (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Even though the temperature in the drug storage room and Ambulance was higher than recommended storage temperature, adrenaline stability and quality were not changed when testing by HPLC.