Article Text
Abstract
Objective To investigate the physical and chemical compatibility of pentoxifylline (PTX) with a wide range of parenteral medications used in the neonatal intensive care setting.
Design PTX and drug solutions were combined in glass phials and inspected visually for physical incompatibility. The chemical compatibility was evaluated on the basis of PTX concentrations.
Results Precipitation, colour change or turbidity was not visible in any of the test mixtures, indicating no observed physical incompatibility or apparent risk of blockage in narrow-bore intravenous tubing. The PTX concentration was approximately 2.5% and 4.5% lower when combined with dopamine and amoxicillin, respectively. The PTX concentration ratios for all other combinations were in the range of 99%–102%.
Conclusion In simulated Y-site conditions, physical compatibility testing of PTX and 30 parenteral medications revealed no evidence of precipitation. Based on PTX concentration tests, it could be prudent to avoid mixing PTX with dopamine or amoxicillin.
- intravenous drugs
- neonates
- pentoxifylline
- pharmaceutical compatibility
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Footnotes
Contributors TS, MP, KTB and SMDKGS conceived and designed the study. SMDKGS had principal responsibility for acquiring the data and was supported by KTB. KTB conducted initial analysis and interpretation of the data, with advice from TS, MP and SMDKGS. KTB and SMDKGS prepared the first draft of the manuscript; revision and additional contributions to the manuscript were provided by TS and MP. All authors approved the final manuscript.
Funding This work was supported by Telethon Channel 7 Women’s and Infants’ Research Foundation (TS), the Department of Pharmacy at King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.