Storage of Vancomycin Oral Solution: [Letter]

Abstract

To the Editor: According to the manufacturer's recommendation, vancomycin oral solution is stable for seven days under refrigeration.1 Since vancomycin is a very expensive drug, a study was initiated to determine the stability of reconstituted oral vancomycin hydrochloride at 0°C, 4°C, and 25°C for periods of up to 90 days after repackaging of the solution in amber-glass unit-dose vials. (The United States Pharmacopoeia [20th ed.] indicates that oral vancomycin solution should contain the equivalent of not less than 90.0 per cent and not more than 115.0 per cent of the labeled amount of vancomycin.) It is not recommended that the solution be stored at room temperature, since we observed a precipitate on Day 6 of the study.