Sijia Cao1, Jing Cui1, Joanne Matsubara1, Farzin Forooghian2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.. Electronic address: farzin.forooghian@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term in vitro functional stability of compounded ranibizumab and aflibercept. DESIGN: Laboratory study. METHODS: Ranibizumab and aflibercept were compounded into plastic syringes and stored under refrigerated conditions for up to 4 weeks. Half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) from dose-response curves generated by using drugs and their respective targets in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were calculated. The functional activity of the drugs stored under these conditions was then compared with that of drug from a fresh glass vial obtained from the manufacturer. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in IC50 between ranibizumab stored in plastic syringes for 4 weeks compared with drug obtained from a fresh glass vial (p = 0.4883). Similarly, there was no statistically significant change in IC50 between aflibercept stored in plastic syringes for 4 weeks compared with drug obtained from a fresh glass vial (p = 0.6202). CONCLUSION: Compounding of ranibizumab and aflibercept in plastic syringes with storage for up to 4 weeks does not appear to have a detrimental effect on the in vitro functional activity of these medications. Because the cost of these medications can be prohibitive, compounding may be considered as a method of reducing cost.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term in vitro functional stability of compounded ranibizumab and aflibercept. DESIGN: Laboratory study. METHODS:Ranibizumab and aflibercept were compounded into plastic syringes and stored under refrigerated conditions for up to 4 weeks. Half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) from dose-response curves generated by using drugs and their respective targets in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were calculated. The functional activity of the drugs stored under these conditions was then compared with that of drug from a fresh glass vial obtained from the manufacturer. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in IC50 between ranibizumab stored in plastic syringes for 4 weeks compared with drug obtained from a fresh glass vial (p = 0.4883). Similarly, there was no statistically significant change in IC50 between aflibercept stored in plastic syringes for 4 weeks compared with drug obtained from a fresh glass vial (p = 0.6202). CONCLUSION: Compounding of ranibizumab and aflibercept in plastic syringes with storage for up to 4 weeks does not appear to have a detrimental effect on the in vitro functional activity of these medications. Because the cost of these medications can be prohibitive, compounding may be considered as a method of reducing cost.