No abstract

Compounding of drugs for use in veterinary oncology is becoming increasingly common. We obtained 15 mg cyclophosphamide capsules from five different compounding pharmacies and performed potency analyses at two time points, as well as stability at 60 days. Potency results for four out of five and zero out of five (4/10) samples analysed were inadequate. Stability at 60 days was acceptable for all but one sample. This pilot study raises several important points of concern when compounding chemotherapy in dogs and cats. Further studies are necessary to solidify this data. Collaboration between pharmacists, veterinarians and regulatory bodies is needed to ensure safe and accurate delivery of compounded drugs to client-owned animals.

BackgroundPeriodic lack of availability and high cost of commercially produced isotonic fluids for intravenous (IV) use in horses have increasingly led to use of home‐made or commercially compound fluids by veterinarians. Data regarding the quality control and safety of compounded fluids would be of benefit to equine veterinarians.ObjectivesTo compare electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and endotoxin contamination of commercially available fluids to 2 forms of compounded isotonic crystalloid fluids intended for IV use in horses.MethodsProspective study. Two methods of preparing compounded crystalloids formulated to replicate commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (Abbott, Chicago, IL) were compared. One formulation was prepared by a hand‐mixed method involving chlorinated drinking water commonly employed by equine practitioners, and the other was prepared by means of ingredients obtained from a commercial compounding pharmacy. The variables for comparison were electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and presence of endotoxin contamination.ResultsElectrolyte concentrations were consistent within each product but different between types of fluids (P < 0.0001). Hand‐mixed fluids had significantly more bacterial contamination compared to commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (P = 0.0014). One of the hand‐mixed fluid samples had detectable endotoxin contamination.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceChlorinated drinking water is not an acceptable source of water to compound isotonic fluids for IV administration. Equine practitioners should be aware of this risk and obtain the informed consent of their clients.