Resumen de Ethanol as an excipient in chemotherapy drugs
R. Díez Fernández, María Eugenia Martínez Núñez, M. Moreno García, A. Gil Martín, Santos Enrech Francés
Introduction: Ethanol as an excipient is used to enhance the solubility of some drugs. In some cases, the dose of ethanol a patient may be given is much higher than dose considered to be toxic. Method: Patients being treated with intravenous chemotherapy were surveyed in order to asses the appearance of any alcohol consumption symptoms. The amount of ethanol given was calculated according to the drug presentation and the dose given. Results: Overall, no statistically significant relationship was found between the appearance of ethanol related symptoms and the amount of ethanol administered (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.80 to 3.88; p = 0.16). Neither statistically significant relationship was found in all subgroups studied. Conclusion: There is no difference in the onset of ethanol consumption related symptoms when using concentrate for solution for infusion instead of lyophilized powder on the reconstitution of chemotherapy drugs with respect to other chemotherapy drugs
