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Etoposide is semisynthetic podophyllotoxin-derivative antineoplastic agent. It has low aqueous solubility and precipitation occurs irregularly and unpredictably. Manufacturer recommends that etoposide should be used below concentration of 400 ㎍/㎖. Aqueous solutions of etoposide in two diluents (5% dextrose water and normal saline) up to 400 ㎍/㎖ are stable up to 24 hours at 25℃. However, precipitation has been reported occasionally in shorter time period in our hospital. We studied the stability of etoposide in different concentration by time course. Etoposide(Vepesid^(®)) was diluted in 5% dextrose water and normal saline at 300, 350 and 400 ㎍/㎖. Physical change was checked by visual and aqueous etoposide samples were collected for HPLC analysis with 0, 3, 6, 10, 24, 48 hour after diluting. A diluted USP etoposide reference standard (350 ㎍/㎖) was used as a standard solutions. The results are as following: 1) At concentration 300 ㎍/㎖, the aqueous solution of etoposide was visually stable for 24 hours. 2) At concentration 350 and 400 ㎍/㎖, there was no change for 10 hours, but precipitation and potency loss were observed for 24 hours. 3) There was no significant difference between diluents for the stability of etoposide.
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