Propofol and thiopental have been used clinically in combination for induction of anesthesia. Studies suggest that this mixture has synergistic activity, recovery characteristics similar to propofol alone, and bactericidal effects on multiple organisms. It may therefore be both clinically useful and cost-effective. In this study, we examined the chemical stability of this mixture. We used high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify the concentration of both propofol and thiopental in a given sample. This technique allows the detection of loss in total drug mass and of the appearance of breakdown products resulting from drug interaction. Ten samples of a 1:1 mixture by volume were prepared and assayed at Time 0 and Days 1, 3, and 7. Half the samples were incubated at 23 degrees C and the rest were stored at 4 degrees C. Other mixtures were assayed before and after filtration at Time 0 and Days 1 and 7 after storage at 23 degrees C. The assay was able to measure accurately the quantity of drug present in the samples. There was no significant decrease in the quantities of either propofol or thiopental in the mixture over the 7-day period. We conclude that the 1:1 volume mixture of propofol and thiopental is chemically stable for 1 wk at room temperature.
Implications: A mixture of propofol and thiopental has been used to induce anesthesia. We investigated the chemical stability of this mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography and found it to be stable for at least 24 h.