THE RADIATION STERILIZATION OF IMIPENEM AND CILASTATIN IN THE SOLID STATE

One of the best sterilization methods for chemically unstable drugs, such as carbapenems, is irradiation. The chemical and physical properties of radiosterilized imipenem and cilastatin were analyzed using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Unstable free radicals were presented in samples after irradiation; their mean lifetime was 142±64 h. The antibacterial activity of cefozopran hydrochloride irradiated with a dose of 25 kGy changed for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Imipenem and cilastatin in the solid state are not resistant to radiation sterilization; therefore, this method cannot be used for sterilization of this compound.