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Contamination of multidose butorphanol vials in small animal general practices
Author(s) -
Bell A.,
Yamaoka T. T.,
Akil L.,
Watson D.,
Devine C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/jsap.12409
Subject(s) - medicine , vial , contamination , butorphanol , anesthesia , chromatography , ecology , chemistry , biology
OBJECTIVES To assess and quantify medetomidine contamination of butorphanol multidose vials in small animal general practices and determine if practice policies and procedures regarding drug handling, as determined by questionnaire, impact upon contamination level. METHODS Samples of butorphanol were withdrawn from in‐use vials in participating practices in June and July 2013. Samples were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. RESULTS Forty‐one samples were obtained from 31 practices. Contamination was detected in 29 samples from 10 mL vials. The mean (αsd) contamination was 0 · 275 (α0 · 393) µg/ mL ; maximum contamination in any vial was 2 · 034 µg/ mL . There was no correlation between volume of the vial used and the level of contamination. None of the survey factors predicted contamination levels of the vials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Contamination of butorphanol multidose vials with medetomidine was common but the level of contamination was insufficient to cause detrimental effects in dogs if butorphanol were to be administered alone. The potential for sporadic higher levels of contamination must be taken into account, especially when using 50 mL vials when sedating critically ill cases, because there is a risk of clinical side effects.