Stability of meropenem in polyvinyl chloride bags and an elastomeric infusion device

Purpose. The stability of meropenem in i.v. solutions stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags and an elastomeric infusion device at concentrations commonly used in home care was studied. Methods. Vials of meropenem were reconstituted with sterile water for injection and mixed with 0.9% sodium chloride injection (NS) to yield concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Six replicate solutions were prepared in PVC containers and six in the Homepump ECLIPSE elastomeric infusion device. All solutions were stored at an average temperature of 5 degreesC and sampled immediately after preparation and at intervals up to 120 hours (five days); the 4-mg/mL solution was also sampled at 144 and 168 hours (seven days). Samples were assayed for meropenem concentration by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography. Results. All solutions of meropenem retained over 90% of the initial drug concentration at five days. The 4-mg/mL solutions retained over 93% of the initial concentration at seven days. The rate of meropenem decay did not differ significantly between PVC and elastomeric infusion containers for the 4- and 20-mg/mL solutions; however, there was a difference for the 10-mg/mL solutions. Conclusion. Meropenem 4 mg/mL in NS was stable for at least seven days in PVC bags and elastomeric infusion containers when stored at 5 degreesC, and meropenern 10 and 20 mg/mL in NS was stable for at least five days in both containers at 5 degreesC.