Stability of haloperidol in 5% dextrose injection.

The stability of haloperidol in 5% dextrose injection using a high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is reported. A solution of haloperidol 10 mg/dl in 5% dextrose injection was prepared using commercially available haloperidol injection. The solution was stored at 24 degrees C, half in an amber glass bottle and half in a plastic bag. These were assayed on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 38. Solutions prepared from commercial dosage forms of haloperidol (injection, oral liquid concentrate, and tablets) were assayed to verify the accuracy of the HPLC assay to quantify haloperidol. There was no loss of haloperidol potency in 38 days when stored 24 degrees C in either the amber glass bottle or plastic bag. There was a substantial loss of methylparaben and propylparaben (present in commercial haloperidol injection) in the solution stored in the plastic bag. Oxidation products of haloperidol did not interfere with the assay, and the HPLC assay accurately measured haloperidol in solutions prepared from commercial dosage forms. The results show that haloperidol 10 mg/dl in 5% dextrose injection was stable for at least 38 days. While the loss of parabens is not of practical importance, the HPLC method developed provided this information while the previously used USP-NF procedure did not. The assay can be used to quantify haloperidol in commercial dosage forms.