Etoposide is a semisynthetic podophyllotoxin-derivative antineoplastic agent with low stability. It is usually applied for small-cell lung cancer, testis cancer, lymphoma and leukemia. Even though etoposide Ⅳ aquous admixture is stable for 24 hours if concentration is less than 400 ㎍/㎖ in either 5% dextrose or normal saline diluent, precipitation has been reported occasionally within the shorter time than literature in our medical settings.
We selected five etoposide made by different manufacturers randomly. All selected aquous (diluted) samples have been checked the stability in 0, 5, 10, and 24 hours at first experiment and in 0, 18, and 24 hours at second experiment by HPLC analysis. Physical change was also checked by visual. A diluted USP etoposide reference standards (350, 700 ㎍/㎖) were used as a standard solution.
As the results of this study, only some etopiside aquous solutions (sample A, B & C) were stable in concetration 300 ㎍/㎖. All etoposide aquouse solutions were stable for 10 hours in concentration 400 ㎍/㎖.
In conclusion, etoposide aqueous solution is definitely stable for 10 hours no matter of different brand company.
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