Stability of pantoprazole in 0.9% sodium chloride injection in polypropylene syringes

HPLC–DAD method for investigating pantoprazole for its stress-dependent degradation by photolysis and oxidation

A reversed-phased high-performance liquid chromatography–diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) method has been developed for investigating the stress-dependent degradation of pantoprazole (PTZ) by a photolytic and oxidative mechanism. The developed method separated PTZ from its degradation products on a C18 column with a mobile phase consisted of methanol and water (60:40, v/v; pH 3.0) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The linear regression coefficient of 0.9995 was obtained for a concentration range from 5 to 25 μg/mL. The % relative standard deviation for repeatability and intermediate precision were below 0.5% and 1.5%, respectively, while the sensitivity of the method was demonstrated by a limit of detection value of 0.25 μg/mL. The stress sample analyses for PTZ results revealed the formation of a total of 18 degradation products, and out of them, 9 degradation products were common for both photolytic and oxidative degradations. Further, the oxidation by azobisisobutyronitrile produced the highest number of degradation products (11 impurities), 3 of which are more hydrophobic than PTZ. In photolytic degradation, 8 and 7 degradation products were observed with UV radiation and sunlight exposure, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation of pantoprazole sodium injection formulation was carried out under the same stress conditions, and it revealed the formation of 3 common impurities under both stress conditions, but other impurities were not detected in the formulations. Finally, 3 common impurities formed in formulations of PTZ injections, viz., sulfone, N-oxide, and N-oxide sulfone impurities, were identified by spike analyses.

Stability of pantoprazole sodium in glass vials, polyvinyl chloride minibags, and polypropylene syringes

BACKGROUND

Pantoprazole sodium, a proton-pump inhibitor, is approved for the short-term treatment of several types of ulcer, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the physical compatibility and chemical stability of ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA)-free pantoprazole in glass vials, polypropylene syringes, and polyvinylchloride (PVC) minibags, after storage at 2°C to 8°C with protection from light or at 20°C to 25°C with exposure to light.

METHODS

Solutions of pantoprazole 4 mg/mL reconstituted in 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline [NS]) were stored in glass vials at 20°C to 25°C. Similar solutions were transferred to polypropylene syringes and stored at 2°C to 8°C. Stock solution was further diluted, in 5% dextrose in water (D5W) or NS, to 0.4 or 0.8 mg/mL, and samples were then packaged in PVC minibags for storage at 2°C to 8°C or at 20°C to 25°C. Samples collected on days 0, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were analyzed in duplicate with a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography assay.

RESULTS

Pantoprazole 4 mg/mL was stable (i.e., retained at least 90% of initial concentration) for 3 days when stored in glass vials at 20°C to 25°C or for 28 days when stored in polypropylene syringes at 2°C to 8°C. Pantoprazole 0.4 mg/mL diluted in D5W and stored in PVC minibags was stable for 2 days at 20°C to 25°C or for 14 days at 2°C to 8°C. At 0.8 mg/mL, pantoprazole in D5W was stable for 3 days at 20°C to 25°C or 28 days at 2°C to 8°C. Pantoprazole diluted to either 0.4 or 0.8 mg/mL in NS and stored in PVC minibags was stable for 3 days at 20°C to 25°C or 28 days at 2°C to 8°C.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirmed or extended previously reported expiry dates for pantoprazole sodium packaged in glass vials, polypropylene syringes, and PVC minibags.

Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole in alpacas

BACKGROUND

Despite frequent clinical use, information about the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of pantoprazole in camelids is not available.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the pharmacokinetics of both IV and SC pantoprazole and to determine whether pantoprazole administration would increase 3rd compartment pH in alpacas.

ANIMALS

Six healthy adult alpacas.

METHODS

Alpacas were fitted with a 3rd compartment cannula for measuring gastric pH. After recovery, alpacas received 1 mg/kg pantoprazole IV, q24h for 3 days or 2 mg/kg SC q24h for 3 days. Alpacas received both IV and SC pantoprazole, with a minimum of 3 weeks between treatments. Third compartment pH was recorded and plasma samples were taken for pharmacokinetic analysis.

RESULTS

Pantoprazole induced a slow but sustained increase in 3rd compartment pH when given by both the IV and SC routes. Third compartment pH was significantly increased as compared with baseline values (1.81+/-0.7; mean+/-SD) at 24 (2.47+/-0.8), 48 (3.53+/-1.0) and 72 hours (4.03+/-1.3) after daily IV administration of pantoprazole. Third compartment pH increased from 1.73+/-0.6 at baseline to 3.05+/-1.1, 4.02+/-1.4, and 3.61+/-1.6 at 24, 48, and 72 hours after SC administration, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that pantoprazole had a short elimination half-life (0.47+0.06 h) and a high clearance rate (12.2+/-2.9 mL/kg/min) after both IV and SC administration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Based on the results of this study, pantoprazole represents a safe and effective drug for increasing 3rd compartment pH in camelids. Either IV or SC administration is likely to be an effective treatment for gastric ulcers.