Effect of urine pH on the stability of doxorubicin and its recovery from bladder instillations

Br J Urol. 1990 May;65(5):478-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1990.tb14790.x.

Abstract

Doxorubicin (1 mg/ml) was shown to be stable when added to urine samples with a mean natural pH of 5.4 and in urine buffered to a mean pH of 4.6. However, at alkaline pH (mean = 8.1) there was a biphasic degradation of doxorubicin (mean t1/2 = 3.24 and 89 h respectively). The data indicate that buffering intravesical doxorubicin to pH 4.6 (acetate buffer) or pre-dosing of patients with ammonium chloride may minimise loss of active drug during the time for which the drug is retained in the bladder. Recovery of doxorubicin following 1 hour's retention in the bladder was similar (77%) for doses of 38/48 or 78 mg. It is suggested that a dose of 50 mg (1 mg/ml) is sufficient to ensure an adequate delivery of active drug to the bladder wall.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / urine*
  • Drug Stability
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy

Substances

  • Doxorubicin