D5W non -PVC, non-DEHP 100 mL bags are currently on backorder and stock will deplete without conservation measures.

Effective immediately, D5W non-PVC, non-DEHP 100 mL bags are to be reserved for amiodarone continuous infusions only. Bags should only be available in critical care areas where patients might have amiodarone continuous infusions administered and should be removed from all other areas.

Nurses are to draw up amiodarone IV bolus and intermittent doses and prepare them in the regular D5W 100 mL minibags (contains PVC/DEHP). These should be administered immediately after preparation as amiodarone injection in PVC/DEHP containers has an expiry of 2 hours at room temperature.

Patients should be switched to oral amiodarone therapy as soon as possible, if clinically feasible.

Other medications requiring non-PVC, non-DEHP containers currently prepared in D5W 100 mL bags, should be prepared in NaCl 0.9% non-PVC, non-DEHP bags if compatible per SH-SS Parenteral Monograph.

Medications incompatible with NaCl 0.9% and requiring non-PVC, non-DEHP containers should be reviewed with pharmacy for an alternate bag size.

Thank you for your support of the ongoing efforts to manage drug supply issues. For questions, please contact your site pharmacy or please contact Rizwan Ahmed or Libby Gair

Submitted by:  Rizwan Ahmed, Director – Pharmacy and Libby Gair, Drug Distribution Supervisor