OBJECTIVE: Dapsone use in pediatric patients is increasing; however, the currently available tablet dosage form cannot be used in young children. The objective of our study was to determine the stability of dapsone in two oral suspensions stored at two temperatures. METHODS: Commercially available dapsone tablets (25 mg) were used to prepare the suspensions: the first in simple syrup and water with citric acid, the second in 1:1 Ora Sweet:Ora Plus to yield a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL. The dosage forms were stored in 10 amber plastic prescription bottles. Five were stored at 25 degrees C and five at 4 degrees C. Three samples were taken from each of five bottles at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 91 days (n = 15). Dapsone concentrations in each sample were measured in duplicate by a validated and stability-indicating HPLC method; the pH of each sample was also determined. The drug was considered stable if the mean concentration > or =90% of the original concentration. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of dapsone were >95% of the initial concentrations for 91 days at both 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C in each suspension. There was a slight darkening of the samples stored at 25 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Dapsone was stable in two suspensions prepared from commercially available tablets for at least three months at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C.
OBJECTIVE:Dapsone use in pediatric patients is increasing; however, the currently available tablet dosage form cannot be used in young children. The objective of our study was to determine the stability of dapsone in two oral suspensions stored at two temperatures. METHODS: Commercially available dapsone tablets (25 mg) were used to prepare the suspensions: the first in simple syrup and water with citric acid, the second in 1:1 Ora Sweet:Ora Plus to yield a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL. The dosage forms were stored in 10 amber plastic prescription bottles. Five were stored at 25 degrees C and five at 4 degrees C. Three samples were taken from each of five bottles at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 91 days (n = 15). Dapsone concentrations in each sample were measured in duplicate by a validated and stability-indicating HPLC method; the pH of each sample was also determined. The drug was considered stable if the mean concentration > or =90% of the original concentration. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of dapsone were >95% of the initial concentrations for 91 days at both 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C in each suspension. There was a slight darkening of the samples stored at 25 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS:Dapsone was stable in two suspensions prepared from commercially available tablets for at least three months at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C.