Adrenaline Ampoules Quality Assessment–the Israeli Experience

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the differences in stability of L-adrenaline in adrenaline ampoules from different manufacturers that are used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
 Methods: Adrenaline ampoules from three different vendors (Products A, B and C; 52, 13, and 19 batches, respectively) were purchased by the IDF and were stored under the recommended storage conditions (room temperature) for different time periods. The content of L-adrenaline in these samples was determined using a chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay with UV detection.
 Results: The three analyzed drug products showed very dissimilar patterns of L-adrenaline degradation. The content of L-adrenaline in Product C was variable and declined below the 85% threshold much earlier than at the end of the 24-months storage period. Products A and B had less variable content of L-adrenaline and were more stable.
 Conclusion: L-adrenaline is prone to degradation in solution. Its content in adrenaline ampoules from certain vendors can decline rapidly, below the stipulated threshold, and compromise their clinical effectiveness (e. g., during resuscitation). Stability of adrenaline ampoules from individual vendors should be analyzed at different storage conditions, using a chiral HPLC-based assay, to define the shelf-life period that can differ substantially between the vendors.