Risk factors for light deterioration:
(1) intensity of light
(2) wavelength of light
(3) duration of light exposure
(4) temperature extremes
(5) availability of oxygen
(6) other chemicals in a solution (sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, etc)
Light deterioration can result in:
(1) loss of potency
(2) generation of toxic byproducts
(3) discoloration
Examples of drugs affected by light:
(1) carboplatin
(2) dacarbazine
(3) emulsions
(4) epinephrine
(5) theophylline
(6) nitroglycerine
(7) chloral hydrate
(8) insulin
The drug can be protected by:
(1) being kept in a closed container
(2) being in a container that prevents light transmission
Amber glass is used to protect drugs from light but may leach iron into a solution, which can catalyze certain reactions.
