In autumn of 2020, a need arose at the hospital pharmacy of University Medical Centre Ljubljana to rapidly develop a new galenic drug with esketamine for continuous infusion. Esketamine was used for induction of anaesthesia at intubation and maintenance of sedation during mechanical ventilation in the most affected patients with COVID-19, and consequently its use increased dramatically during this period. The advantages of using esketamine in COVID-19 patients compared to other anaesthetics or sedatives, e.g. opioids, are its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. During sedation esketamine maintains blood pressure and heart rate, induces bronchodilatation and preserves airway reflexes and has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which are beneficial for COVID-19 patients.
The aim of the masters thesis was risk assessment of the new galenic drug, developing a formulation and manufacturing process for a new galenic product ESKETAMIN 25 mg/mL, 50 mL solution for injection/infusion, and development of methods for the analysis of the active substance esketamine hydrochloride, the intermediate and the final product. A 12-month stability study of the product at ambient conditions was also carried out. The methods used were: organoleptic examination, pH determination of the solution, determination of the concentration of esketamine, determination of the concentration of chloride ions, determination of the specific optical rotation of the solution, determination of the purity of the active substance and the product by spectrophotometric analysis, sterility test and test for bacterial endotoxins. Acceptance limits have been established for all parameters. In the analysis of the intermediate, the final product and during the stability study, the intermediate/product met the conditions for organoleptic examination and spectrophotometric purity analysis, the pH, the concentration of esketamine and chloride ions and the specific optical rotation were within the specification limits. The final product remained sterile and apyrogenic after 12 months. In a stability study, we confirmed that the shelf life of the ESKETAMIN 25 mg/mL, 50 mL solution for injection/infusion final product is at least 12 months.
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