Wasilewski M, Curti C, Bouguergour C, Panuccio C, Thevin P, Primas N, Lamy E, Vanelle P. Paediatric capsule compounding in hospital practices: by weight or by volume?
Eur J Hosp Pharm 2023;
30:363-366. [PMID:
35105603 PMCID:
PMC10647867 DOI:
10.1136/ejhpharm-2021-003065]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Capsule compounding is common for paediatric patients. In Europe, pharmacists often use a volume-based method whereas, in the USA, the weight-based method prevails. These two methods should be compared in order to help hospital pharmacists to make their choice.
METHODS
We evaluated the difference between the volume-based method and the weight-based method with 10 mg spironolactone capsules. Six independent batches were made with each technique and their conformity was evaluated with a high-performance liquid chromatography assay.
RESULTS
The weight-based method showed superiority over the volume-based method for the following parameters: spironolactone content homogeneity, total weight content homogeneity, batch reproducibility and batch conformity. No differences were seen in spironolactone content between the two methods, but an overall trend towards underweighing the excipient was found with the volume-based method.
CONCLUSIONS
Capsule compounding with the weight-based method increases the quality of the resulting formulation. The weight-based method requires knowledge of the galenic parameters of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and excipients, but should be preferred to the volume-based method.
Collapse