In Vitro Study of Inline Filtration of Medications Commonly Administered to Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract

Intravenous administration of drugs commonly used in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia was simulated using a .22 μm air-eliminating filter. Drug concentrations were measured pre- and postfiltration using standard pediatric drug doses and concentrations. The percentage of administered dose recovered in the postfilter sample for chemotherapy drugs was adriamycin, 92%; dactinomycin, 87%; cytarabine, 96%; and vincristine, 90%. For antibiotics, the per cent recovery was carbenicillin, 90%; cephalothin, 96%; and gentamicin, 38%. Gentamicin, and perhaps other drugs evaluated, should not be administered through a filter of the type used in this study.