STABILITY OF QUININE DIHYDROCHLORIDE IN COMMONLY USED INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS

The stability of quinine dihydrochloride (Q) at a concentration of 1-2 mg/ml, in three common intravenous (i.v.) solutions, was studied. Adm ixtures of Q were prepared in the following vehicles, in glass contain ers: 5% dextrose in water, 5% dextrose in normal saline solution and n ormal saline solution. The solutions were kept under fluorescent light at room temperature. Concentrations of Q were monitored for 24 h usin g a stability-indicating high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) m ethod. More than 90% of the initial concentration of Q remained in all solutions under the study conditions, and all samples remained clear and colourless over the entire 24-h period. Admixtures containing Q at a concentration of 1.2 mg/ml in the three solutions were stable (< 10 % decomposition) for at least 24 h and did not require protection from light. However, the use of the admixtures as soon as possible after p reparation is still recommended because some decrease in concentration was observed on storage.