[Triamcinolone acetonide without solvents].

OBJECTIVE The purification of commercially prepared triamcinolone acetonide is important in order to avoid the potential toxic side-effects of the solvent benzyl alcohol. We present a new technique for preparation of pure triamcinolone acetonide by dissolving the powder in sterile distilled water with no additional solvents. As the triamcinolone powder is relatively insoluble in water, we describe the sterile method used for the preparation and control of this suspension. MATERIALS AND METHODS The triamcinolone acetonide is prepared in our hospital pharmacy, under optimum sterile conditions, and then packaged in a primary vial, sealed and sterilized in an autoclave at 121°C. This vial contains an individual dose of 4mg/0.1ml. RESULTS A final dose for an intravitreal administration of 3.77mg/0.1ml triamcinolone acetonide was obtained using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chemical, physical and microbiological stability allows the solution to be kept at a temperature of 2-8°C for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS A rapid method is presented for preparing triamcinolone acetonide in pure state without preservatives in a concentration near the standard dose and under optimum sterile conditions.