Examination of Stability of Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

Overview

Reliable stabilization of the pharmaceutical preparation and the active ingredient remains one ofthe most important problems of world pharmacy because pharmaceutical preparations are notsystems which are stable without limitation. The patient must receive a quality drug and that iswhy the question of stability is paid grest attention to not only in research and development,industrial manufacture, but also in distribution. The measure of stability is the expiration period.Diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) still belongs to the most widely used and at thesame time the most easily accessible disinfectants. In practice it is common both in Slovakia andabroad. It is used in several concentrations. One of its most important disadvantages is its limitedstability, which markedly decreases its expiration period. The present paper investigates thestability of hydrogen peroxide solutions of routinely used concentrations (3%, 6%, and 10%) withoutand with a stabilizing additive (phenacetin) prepared in the pharmacy and stored under differentconditions for the period of their expected usability. The content of hydrogen peroxide was assayedby the pharmacopoeial method in 7-day time intervals. All concentrations of 3%, 6%, and 10%hydrogen peroxide were found to fulfil the conditions for stability in the period of time under study.Their concentration did not fall below the limit od 90 % of the content of the active ingredient, andstorage under decreased temperature proved to be more suitable. Storage of hydrogen peroxide inthe light is inadmissible.When the conditions of storage are observed, the required therapeutic effectof hydrogen peroxide solution can be expected for the period of three months.

Key words:
hydrogen peroxide – stability – solution