Abstract
Cause of coloration in an atropine sulfate eye drops was investigated. The eye drops prepared in our hospital pharmacy were returned by a 52-year old female patient after few days' use. No color change was observed in the same lot preparation stocked in the pharmacy. The patient was also given epinephrine eye drops and pilocarpine eye drops. Spectral changes of the colored eye drops suggested the presence of adrenochrome that is an oxidation product of epinephrine. Similar coloration was observed by addition of one drop of epinephrine eye drops to atropine eye drops. The conclusion was as follows:
The patient applied epinephrine eye drops first, and then atropine eye drops by squeezing the plastic eye dropper. As the dropper of atropine eye drops was restored to its original shape, a droplet of epinephrine eye drops left on the surface of the eye or eyelid was sucked into the dropper. Consequently, the stabilizer of epinephrine eye drops was diluted with sucked atropine eye drops and the oxidation occurred. The present case suggests the necessity of correct instruction to patient.
