Anitra Carr1, Christina Wohlrab2, Paul Young3, Rinaldo Bellomo4. 1. Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz. 2. Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. 3. Department of Intensive Care, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand. 4. Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has recently been a surge of interest in intravenous (IV) vitamin C as a potential therapy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, particularly in those with septic shock. Establishing the safety and efficacy of IV vitamin C therapy through rigorously conducted randomised controlled trials is a priority. A key logistical issue for such trials is to establish the stability of IV vitamin C solutions prepared for infusion ahead of time. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the stability of IV vitamin C solutions over time using doses of vitamin C from previous pilot trials. METHODS: We used spectrophotometry to measure the concentration of vitamin C remaining in solutions of 1.5 g per 50 mL of 0.9% saline and 2.5 g per 50 mL of dextrose 5% in water (D5W) at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after preparation. The concentration of vitamin C in these solutions over time was assessed at 4°C in the dark and at ambient temperature and light. RESULTS: The concentration of vitamin C in diluted solutions was essentially unchanged over a period of 24 hours, and decreased less than 10% by 96 hours both at 4°C in the dark and at ambient temperature and light. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that vitamin C solutions of 1.5 g per 50 mL of 0.9% saline and 2.5 g per 50 mL of D5W remain stable for up to 96 hours and do not need to be protected from light.
BACKGROUND: There has recently been a surge of interest in intravenous (IV) vitamin C as a potential therapy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, particularly in those with septic shock. Establishing the safety and efficacy of IV vitamin C therapy through rigorously conducted randomised controlled trials is a priority. A key logistical issue for such trials is to establish the stability of IV vitamin C solutions prepared for infusion ahead of time. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the stability of IV vitamin C solutions over time using doses of vitamin C from previous pilot trials. METHODS: We used spectrophotometry to measure the concentration of vitamin C remaining in solutions of 1.5 g per 50 mL of 0.9% saline and 2.5 g per 50 mL of dextrose 5% in water (D5W) at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after preparation. The concentration of vitamin C in these solutions over time was assessed at 4°C in the dark and at ambient temperature and light. RESULTS: The concentration of vitamin C in diluted solutions was essentially unchanged over a period of 24 hours, and decreased less than 10% by 96 hours both at 4°C in the dark and at ambient temperature and light. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that vitamin C solutions of 1.5 g per 50 mL of 0.9% saline and 2.5 g per 50 mL of D5W remain stable for up to 96 hours and do not need to be protected from light.
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