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The effect of the light on the stability of 5-fluorouracil admixture was investigated. Four sets of 5-fluorouracil admixture were prepared using 50 mg/ml injection in 5% dextrose solution in PVC bags and glass bottles: (1) 5-fluorouracil 1 mg/ml concentration in glass bottles, (2) 5-fluorouracil 1 mg/ml in PVC bags, (3) 5-fluorouracil 10 mg/ml in glass bottles, and (4) 5-fluorouracil 10 mg/ml in PVC bags. In each set, one group was protected from the light (control group) and the other group was exposed to the fluorescent light (study group). All admixtures were stored at room temperature for 72 hours. Also, 5-fluorouracil injections (50 mg/ml) were prepared in plastic syringes. Half of the samples of 50 mg/ml concentration were protected from the light (control group) and the other half were exposed to the fluorescent light (study group). These were stored at room temperature for 48 hours. After visual inspection, the pHs of each admixture were determined. The 5-fluorouracil concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection, with 5-bromouracil as an internal standard. Over the study period, no visual changes were observed. The pHs of 5-fluorouracil admixtures were in the range of 8.2~8.5. The peak area ratios (5-FU/5-BrU) of 5-fluorouracil admixtures protected from the light were compared with those of the admixtures exposed to the light. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups during the study period (p>0.05). In conclusion, 5-fluorouracil admixtures in 5% dextrose solution exposed to the light were stable for 72 hours.
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