CHEMICAL-STABILITY AND ADSORPTION OF SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE INJECTIONS IN DISPOSABLE PLASTIC SYRINGES

The purpose of these investigations was to determine the stability and adsorption behaviour of succinylcholine chloride (SCC) when stored in plastic syringes. Drug degradation was monitored using the USP high-p ressure liquid chromatography method. Solutions containing 20 mg/ml of SCC in 5% dextrose, and in normal saline, were studied at 5, 25 and 4 0-degrees-C. The hydrolysis of SCC in i.v. fluids followed apparent ze ro-order kinetics. The manufacturer's recommended expiry period was fo und to be too conservative. If protected from light, storage at room t emperature for up to 3 months can be safely recommended, without signi ficant loss of chemical stability. However, microbiological quality as surance will need to be implemented and an appropriate shelf-life assi gned on the basis of both microbiological and chemical stability data.