Effect of glucose 5% solution and bupivacaine hydrochloride on absorption of sufentanil citrate in a portable pump reservoir during storage and simulated infusion by an epidural catheter.

The stability of sufentanil (5 micrograms/ml as citrate) in admixtures with glucose 5% or bupivacaine hydrochloride (2 mg/ml) in 100 ml polyvinyl chloride portable pump reservoirs was investigated during simulated infusion by an epidural catheter at 32 degrees C for 48 h and during storage at 4 degrees C and 32 degrees C for 30 days. During both experiments a small decrease (< 5%) in concentration of sufentanil and bupivacaine was observed. No loss of sufentanil or bupivacaine could be detected (in both experiments) in the portable pump reservoirs when stored at 4 degrees C for 30 days. A significant decrease of sufentanil was observed when stored at 32 degrees C after 30 days when diluted with glucose (9.2%) or in combination with bupivacaine (8.9%); also, the bupivacaine concentration decreased significantly (4.1%). It is concluded that sufentanil in portable pump reservoirs can be used under patient conditions at 32 degrees C for 7 days when diluted with glucose 5% or 3 days in combination with bupivacaine hydrochloride.