The suitability of some preservatives in chloroquine phosphate syrup

• Published in: Pharmaceutisch weekblad. Scientific edition Vol. 10; no. 4; p. 170
• Main Authors: Van Doorne, H, Wieringa, N F, Bosch, E H, De Meijer, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 19.08.1988
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Antimalarials - standards; Chloroquine - analogs & derivatives; Chloroquine - standards; Developing Countries; Drug Stability; Humans; Pharmaceutic Aids - standards; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical - standards
• ISSN: 0167-6555
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01959426

In Third World countries chloroquine phosphate syrup is frequently prepared with chloroform as a preservative. Because of the toxic side effects of chloroform the suitability of a number of possible alternatives were investigated. If the chloroquine phosphate syrup is prepared as such, the combination of sorbic acid (1.5 g/l) and citric acid (2 g/l) is preferred. If, however, the chloroquine phosphate syrup is prepared from a stock solution of simple syrup, the relatively low pH may be undesirable, because it may negatively affect the stability or solubility of other medicinal compounds. For a stock solution of simple syrup the combination of methyl paraben (1.8 g/l) and propyl paraben (0.2 g/l) is preferred. Good care must be taken that a layer of condense water cannot be formed.