Chemical stabilities of famotidine and ranitidine hydrochloride in intravenous admixtures.

The chemical stabilities of famotidine and ranitidine hydrochloride solutions in 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride injections have been studied using high-performance liquid chromatographic methods (HPLC). Both the drugs were stable for at least 15 days (loss in potency of less than 10%) at 25 degrees C and 63 days at 5 degrees C. Both drugs were comparatively less stable in 5% dextrose injection than in 0.9% sodium chloride injection. The loss in the potency of phenol, which is added as a preservative to ranitidine hydrochloride injection, was significant in both the vehicles. However, the addition of preservative in a single dose vial is not considered necessary.