Influence of Certain Additives on the Photostabilizing Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide for Sodium Nitroprusside Solutions

Abstract

The influence of certain pharmaceutical adjuvants on the photostabilizing effect of dimethyl sulfoxide for a buffered solution of sodium nitroprusside was investigated. Dimethyl sulfoxide in a concentration of 10% v/v was found to exercise its effect as a photoprotective agent in the presence of methylparaben, sodium sulfite, sodium chloride, destrose, PEG 300, Tween 80, citric acid and sodium edetate. In the absence of dimethyl sulfoxide, sodium sulfite produced the most deleterious effect on the photostability of sodium nitroprusside solution. The photoprotective action of dimethyl sulfoxide appeared to be slightly enhanced by the presence of sodium edetate, methylparaben, sodium chloride or citric acid.