Stability of oxycodone in compound sodium lactate

Background It is sometimes clinically desirable to administer oxycodone concurrently with compound sodium lactate via the same intravenous (IV) line; however, there are limited stability and compatibility data for this combination. Aim To determine the stability of oxycodone in compound sodium lactate IV solution. Method The study was conducted at a major metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Oxycodone stock solutions were prepared as 1 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9% and in compound sodium lactate in polyolefin IV bags. The oxycodone 1 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9% was diluted to 0.5 and 0.1 mg/mL with compound sodium lactate. These, and the 1 mg/mL in compound sodium lactate solution, were injected into the Y‐site section of two different types of giving set (‘Pump’ and ‘Blood’) tubings and stored under two conditions (room temperature and 37°C). Sampling timepoints were baseline (time 0), then 8, 24, and 48 h for room temperature and 4, 8, 24, and 48 h for 37°C. The stock solutions were also stored at room temperature and analysed. Samples were visually checked for physical changes and analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Stability was determined against the European Medicines Agency limit (±5% from baseline). Ethics approval was not required for this research article as it was a stability study and did not contain human participants or data. Results The difference from baseline was within the European Medicines Agency limit of under 5% for all samples at 24 h. Sample appearance did not change, and additional peaks in the chromatograms were not observed. Conclusion Oxycodone 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL mixed with compound sodium lactate is stable for 24 h in IV administration lines.