Stability of Vancomycin and Ceftazidime With Prolonged Storage at −20°C

Abstract

Background and Objective: Vancomycin and ceftazidime are commonly used intravitreal antibiotics for suspected bacterial endophthalmitis. Many retina surgical practices prepare aliquoted individual doses in syringes that are then stored frozen for future use, but this practice has not been well studied. This investigation aims to examine the stability of frozen vancomycin and ceftazidime. Materials and Methods: Samples of drugs were reconstituted monthly and placed in a −20°C freezer. At the end of 3 months and again at 6 months, a newly reconstituted drug constant was created and compared to a newly created reference sample. The frozen samples were compared to a freshly produced drug solution. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the peak heights were compared to evaluate stability. Results: The vancomycin reference sample was 100 ± 1.67%. Values over time were 97.4 ± 0.75%, 98.8 ± 0.44%, 102.1 ± 0.4%, 100.5 ± 0.12%, 101.8 ± 0.12, 101.5 ± 0.11, and 100.6 ± 1.87 for 1, 2, 3(A), 3(B), 4, 5, and 6 months, respectively. The ceftazidime reference sample was 100 ± 1.8%. Values over time were 100.7 ± 1.78%, 100.0 ± 1%, 102.3 ± 1.55%, 117.5 ± 11.6%, 112.8 ± 1.64%, 123 ± 2.8%, and 117 ± 2.5% for 1, 2, 3(A), 3(B), 4, 5, and 6 months, respectively. Conclusion: Both vancomycin and ceftazidime were stable over 6 months under frozen conditions at −20°C. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:281–283.]