Stability of Oxytetracycline in Different Types of Solutions and Stored at Different Temperatures

Abstract

Administration of drugs, especially antibiotics, via intravenous injections with different types of solutions is a common and widely applied treatment method in human and veterinary medicine. One of these antibiotics is oxytetracycline, which is a tetracycline. The aim of this article is to study the effect of temperature (5 °C, 40 °C) and light on the stability of oxytetracycline injections after dissolving different types of reconstitution solutions (sodium chloride 0.9%, dextrose 5%, sodium chloride 0.9% with dextrose 5%, Ringer). After 24 h, the concentration of the oxytetracycline was determined by the HPLC method. The results showed a decrease in the concentration of oxytetracycline due to the effect of high temperature (40 °C) and light in all solutions. On the other hand, the decrease in the concentration of oxytetracycline was less than on low temperature (5 °C) and light protection. The effect of the solution reconstitution solution was also evaluated where the stability of oxytetracycline was best in dextrose 5% solution, followed by sodium chloride 0.9%, Ringer’s solution, and mixed (dextrose with sodium chloride 0.9%). This paper recommends reconstituting oxytetracycline with 5% dextrose and storage under refrigeration away from light to maintain a better stability of oxytetracycline.