Short-term storage stability of NaOCl solutions when combined with Dual Rinse HEDP

AimTo assess the stability of NaOCl solutions when combined with a novel product for clinical use, Dual Rinse HEDP, which contains etidronate (1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonate). MethodologyMixtures of NaOCl solutions with Dual Rinse HEDP were prepared so that they initially contained 5.0%, 2.5% or 1.0% NaOCl and always 9.0% of dissolved Dual Rinse HEDP powder per total weight. NaOCl solutions alone were used as controls. The stability of these solutions over 8h was assessed in transparent borosilicate glass bottles at ambient temperature (23 degrees C). Subsequently, the effects of heating (60 degrees C) or storing the solutions at 5 degrees C were studied in polypropylene syringes. NaOCl concentrations were measured by iodometric titration, that is free available chlorine contents. Experiments were performed in triplicate. ResultsIn the glass bottles at 23 degrees C, the 5.0% NaOCl/9.0% Dual Rinse HEDP solution lost 20% of the available chlorine after 1h, whilst the corresponding 2.5% NaOCl and 1.0% NaOCl solutions retained this relative amount of available chlorine for 2 and 4h, respectively. Results obtained in the glass bottles were similar to those achieved in the syringes. Heating of the NaOCl/Dual Rinse HEDP mixtures had a detrimental effect on available chlorine, with a complete loss after 1h. In contrast, storing the NaOCl/Dual Rinse HEDP mixtures in a refrigerator at 5 degrees C kept the available chlorine high for 7h, with the expected loss after a further hour of storage at 23 degrees C. ConclusionsInitial NaOCl concentration and temperature both affected short-term storage stability of combined solutions containing Dual Rinse HEDP.