Contamination of Capsules and Blister Packs by Dutasteride

Abstract

We previously reported that various amounts of hazardous drugs, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil had contaminated both the inside and outside of their blister packs. However, contamination from the non-antineoplastic drug, dutasteride, which primarily has adverse reproductive effects on female healthcare workers in the clinical setting, pregnant women and their families, has not been elucidated. Here we show that dutasteride was detected on both the inside and outside of blister packs of Avolve ® Capsules. The amount of dutasteride extracted from blister packs and softcapsules was measured by LC-MS/MS. In addition, dutasteride was also detected on the surface of the softcapsules. Dutasteride attached to the surface of a capsule can become attached to others by physical contact. Our data suggest that pregnant women and their families can be exposed to dutasteride attached to blister packs and the surface of capsules, and female healthcare workers in contact with Avolve ® Capsules can also be exposed to dutasteride. It is necessary to take measures to prevent unintended exposure to females.