BACKGROUND: Promethazine is an antiemetic often administered intravenously in healthcare facilities for postoperative nausea and vomiting. Due to potential adverse events that may result with intravenous push administration, some safety-minded healthcare facilities have elected to use alternative methods of administration. One such method is the intravenous piggyback (IVPB). However, limited stability data exist for promethazine in intravenous solutions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the stability over time of promethazine dissolved in commonly used intravenous infusion fluids when exposed to various light and temperature conditions.

PROPOSED METHODS: Promethazine will be formulated into IVPB bags of normal saline, dextrose 5% in water and Lactated Ringer's solution. These bags will be exposed to various light and temperature conditions over time. Samples will be taken from the bags at regular intervals and analyzed for purity using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Chromeleon® software, Microsoft Excel, and IBM SPSS 22 will be used to obtain descriptives for data and statistical analyses.

RESULTS: The results for this prospective study are pending. Data collection is planned to begin in the fall of 2015.

CONCLUSIONS: The conclusions from our results are intended to inform health professionals on the optimal utilization of promethazine in IVPB formulations. If favorable stability data are discovered, healthcare facilities may be able to increase efficiency.