The long term stability of mechlorethamine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard) ointment measured by HPLC
Cummings, J.; MacLellan, A.; Langdon, S.J.; Smyth, J.F.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 45(1): 6-9
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 8094449 Document Number: 411581
HPLC has been applied to determine the stability of mechlorethamine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard) formulated as an ointment in white soft paraffin (10 mg drug, 50 g paraffin and 1 mL acetone). A new solubilization technique is described for extraction of the drug from the ointment for HPLC analysis which has an extraction efficiency of 76.1% with a coefficient of variation of 10.4%. Stored at 4 degree C the drug content of the ointment remained stable for at least 84 days and stored at 37 degree C the drug content remained stable for at least 40 days. In comparison aqueous solutions of mechlorethamine at the same concentration, fully degraded after 4 days. These data will aid hospital pharmacists decide on a standardized protocol for the controlled usage of the ointment which is both safe and cost-effective.