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Level 3 Clinical Pharmacist, Internal Medicine/Oncology/Cancer Clinic, Pharmacy Services, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Lewiston, ID
Published Online, May 8, 2007. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K029
Format: This work is available as a hardcover text and CD, which is a single-user version, when purchased by an individual.
System Requirements: The CD that comes with the text requires an Adobe reader to be installed on the computer for use.
Audience: Anyone involved with the manufacture or dispensing of injectable products or needing additional education on the provision of clinical care to patients. This encompasses pharmacists, pharmacy students, and technicians, as well as nurses or physicians who do not have access to comprehensive pharmacist services.
Purpose: This set concisely identifies the compatibility and stability of injectable products.
Content: The text and interactive CD-ROM include 372 monographs and 2623 references. The introductory chapter on how to use the book to its fullest extent should be reviewed by the first-time user to properly evaluate the data presented. The bulk of the text is organized in alphabetical order by generic name along with the corresponding AHFS number. Other information includes product availability, pH, administration, general stability, freezing effects, syringe or reservoir stability, and the effects of light, sorption, and/or filtration. Four tables follow that present data on single drugs in various solutions, 2 or more drugs in solution, 2 or more drugs in syringes, and Y-site injections.
The CD version contains the same content as the text. The interactive CD provides access to all monographs and links to original research in PubMed. Added features are 2 icons that allow the user to link to the ASHP home page and ASHP's Compounding Resource Center.
Usability: The text is organized so that it is easy to find the information necessary to make decisions and is formatted to be user friendly. The CD version allows up to 5 separate medications/solutions to be viewed at the same time—one primary drug/solution and 4 comparators of either drug or solution.
Highlights: The text and CD provide comprehensive data on each drug listed in the monograph and allow the user to make decisions on care rapidly.
Limitations: As the text is as complete as the literature allows, it does not lend itself to quick and easy bedside use. Some information may be missing, but all efforts were made to produce a handbook that is as complete as possible. All tables are adjusted to mass per liter format. The user should be aware that most of the studies cited did not use these concentrations, and the adjustments in the tables were made so that the data were comparable.
Comparison with Previous Edition or Version: There are no substantial changes from previous editions; however, there are a total of 18 new monographs and all monographs have been updated, including an additional 141 references. Missing from this edition as well as the past several editions is a chapter describing the mechanisms of compatibility and/or stability. Earliest editions of this text had a chapter describing how to evaluate for compatibility and stability when a monograph was not included. This chapter served as a valuable resource in allowing the user to come to some conclusions when the data were not available.
Comparison with Other Related Books or Products: Other guides and texts are not as comprehensive in nature as this one. They lack monograph data and/or are weak in providing concentration or conditions of testing. Through its monographs and tables, the Handbook provides the detail necessary for its users to make informed decisions.
Reviewer's Summary: The Handbook on Injectable Drugs is a comprehensive, well referenced work and should be on the shelf or have the CD installed in every pharmacy or infusion service. It is not necessary for a student to purchase this handbook as part of course work, but it should be available as a valued resource.
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