Stability of vancomycin in plastic syringes measured by high–performance liquid chromatography

The shelf-life of vancomycin in infusion fluids was studied using high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. Vancomycin was stable (loss in potency less than 10%) for 47 days and 29 days, respectively, when dissolved in water-for-injections BP at 25 degrees C and stored in plastic syringes (Becton Dickinson Plastipak (three-piece) and B. Braun Medical Injekt (two-piece)). In sodium chloride solution (0.9%; pH 5.4) it was stable for 62 and 34 days, while in dextrose solution (5%; pH 4.2) it was stable for 55 and 33 days, respectively, at the same temperature. At 4 degrees C vancomycin was stable in all three infusion fluids and both types of syringe for at least 84 days.