RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Potassium canrenoate compounding for administration via enteral feeding tubes: a physical and microbiological stability study JF European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy JO Eur J Hosp Pharm FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP ejhpharm-2017-001276 DO 10.1136/ejhpharm-2017-001276 A1 Serena Logrippo A1 Matteo Sestili A1 Roberta Ganzetti A1 Giulia Bonacucina A1 Antonella Marziali A1 Patrizia Fattoretti A1 Silvia Busco A1 Alessandro Caraffa A1 Carlo Polidori A1 Giovanni Filippo Palmieri YR 2017 UL http://ejhp.bmj.com/content/early/2017/08/04/ejhpharm-2017-001276.abstract AB Background Swallowing difficulties are arising in an increasing number of patients, especially in elderly people. When deglutition ability is completely compromised, enteral administration of a drug via feeding tubes is used. Licensed pharmacists have to compound the original solid forms to enable this drug therapy.Objectives To evaluate the possibility of compounding original commercial tablets to produce a liquid formulation suitable for administering via a feeding tube.Methods Two liquid formulations containing potassium canrenoate 5 mg/mL were prepared: a standard solution obtained by solubilising raw material and an extemporaneous preparation obtained by dissolving film-coated 100 mg tablets. Spectrophotometric determinations (UV range) of the drug established chemical stability of the analyte up to 60 days. Samples were tested for microbial growth. Gravimetric quantifications of liquid formulations were used to check any weight loss during the different steps before enteral administration.Results UV data confirmed the chemical stability of potassium canrenoate up to 60 days. Samples showed no microbial growth. A higher weight loss was recorded in extemporaneous preparations than in the standard solution (10.7% vs 7.6%) according to the gravimetric quantification.Conclusion It is possible to compound the original tablets into a liquid formulation suitable for administration via a feeding tube.