A new parenteral emulsion for the administration of taxol.

Taxol (NSC-125973) is a poorly soluble plant product that exhibits excellent antimitotic properties. This study involves the development of a new formulation for taxol. The stability of taxol in a 50% triacetin emulsion as well as possible methods of intravenous administration of this dosage form was examined. A stable emulsion was found at taxol concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/ml of emulsion. The 50% triacetin emulsion showed an intravenous LD50 of 1.2 ml/kg in Swiss-Webster mice. The 10 mg/ml taxol formulation was demonstrated to be stable upon addition to 5% dextrose iv fluids provided that small packing systems were used. The taxol-triacetin emulsion can also be intravenously injected at various rates, and it may prove to be a useful formulation for taxol.