According to recommendations from the USP Chapter <659> on packaging and storage requirements, “where light subjects an article to loss of strength or potency or to destructive alteration of its characteristics, the container label bears an appropriate instruction to protect the article from light. The article must be packaged in a light-resistant container.” However, just which parenteral drugs this applies to may be confusing since a comprehensive list of injectable drugs that are sensitive to light has not been published since 2014.

Recently, this list was updated to include drugs and biologics that have been FDA approved since the last edition of this resource.

Using the most recent prescribing information (as of July 31, 2022) from the FDALabel database, investigators performed an advanced search specifically looking for human prescription drugs that are required to be protected from light. The labeling of both brand and generic prescription medications was searched. The list was then narrowed to parenteral products only. The investigators tried to confirm the information on light sensitivity in at least two additional sources. In some cases, the manufacturer was also contacted. When it was not possible to have two additional confirmatory sources of information, this limitation was noted in the table. The additional references that were reviewed were included in the table’s reference list.

The table indicates which step(s) in the drug-preparation and administration process that need protection from light. These steps include storage, reconstitution, dilution, and/or administration. The table also provides additional comments or precautions pertaining to the light sensitivity of the parenteral formulation.

A manual review of the list indicates that it contains 470 drugs. Of these drugs, 464 have light-related warnings during the storage of the drug, 49 have light-related warnings during the reconstitution of the parenteral product, 67 medications have light-related warnings during dilution of the drug, and 13 injectables have light-related precautions during administration.

Many drugs have multiple light-related precautions. For example, doxycycline hyclate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, inotuzumab ozogamicin, selexipag, and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxi have light-related precautions in all four categories.

Others have light-related precautions in only one category. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate has a light-related precaution during reconstitution. Cysteine hydrochloride, fish oil triglyceride lipid emulsion, potassium phosphates (monobasic and dibasic), and zinc sulfate need to be protected from light during dilution.

The table contains important information relevant to nursing on drugs that have light-related precautions during administration. Among these agents are amphotericin B, doxorubicin hydrochloride, doxycycline hyclate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, inotuzumab ozogamicin, moxetumomab padusotox-tdfk, pafolacianine, pegfilgram and biosimilar, phytonadione, sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, selexipag, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki, and sodium nitroprusside.

This list is an invaluable resource and is a “must-have” for any pharmacist involved in the preparation of parenteral products. It is also an excellent reference to share with nursing colleagues.

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.