Laudanosine and atracurium concentrations in a patient receiving long-term atracurium infusion

Cistracurium Besylate 10 mg/mL Solution Compounded in a Hospital Pharmacy to Prevent Drug Shortages: A Stability Study Involving Four Degradation Products

BACKGROUND

Stability study of a 10 mg/mL injectable cisatracurium solution stored refrigerated in amber glass ampoules for 18 months (M18).

METHODS

4000 ampoules were aseptically compounded using European Pharmacopoeia (EP)-grade cisatracurium besylate, sterile water for injection, and benzenesulfonic acid. We developed and validated a stability-indicating HPLC-UV method for cisatracurium and laudanosine. At each stability study time point, we recorded the visual aspect, cisatracurium and laudanosine levels, pH, and osmolality. Sterility, bacterial endotoxin content, and non-visible particles in solution were checked after compounding (T0) and after M12 and M18 of storage. We used HPLC-MS/MS to identify the degradation products (DPs).

RESULTS

During the study, osmolality remained stable, pH decreased slightly, and the organoleptic properties did not change. The number of non-visible particles remained below the EP's threshold. Sterility was preserved, and bacterial endotoxin level remained below the calculated threshold. Cisatracurium concentration remained within the ±10% acceptance interval for 15 months and then decreased to 88.7% of C0 after M18. The laudanosine generated accounted for less than a fifth of the cisatracurium degradation, and three DPs were generated-identified as EP impurity A, impurities E/F, and impurities N/O.

CONCLUSION

Compounded 10 mg/mL cisatracurium injectable solution is stable for at least 15 months.

Pain, agitation, delirium, and neuromuscular blockade: a review of basic pharmacology, assessment, and monitoring

Agitation, pain, and delirium are focal points for targeted pharmacologic therapy in the intensive care unit. Understanding how to treat these essential entities necessitates fundamental understanding of the pharmacology of sedation, analgesia, and antipsychotics. Monitoring the effectiveness of these medications is crucial to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize untoward effects. Agents used in the management of agitation include drugs that target γ-aminobutyric acid A such as benzodiazepines and propofol and those with other targets such as dexmedetomidine and ketamine. Analgesia in the intensive care unit is controlled primarily using intravenous opioids, which differ on the basis of their potencies and pharmacokinetics. The management of delirium involves preventing its occurrence, removing potential causes, and pharmacotherapy with antipsychotics. Finally, the introduction of paralysis with the use neuromuscular blockers is often necessary in critically ill patients in various situations. In addition to understanding pharmacologic principles associated with the treatment of agitation, pain, and delirium, familiarization with the plethora of assessment tools used to guide therapy in these critically ill patients is mandated. This review focuses on the pharmacology of therapeutic agents used for sedation, analgesia, delirium, and neuromuscular blockade. Significant focus is given to the various assessment tools often used in practice today.