136 Volume 49, February 2014 Hosp Pharm 2014;49(2):136–163 2014 © Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. www.hospital-pharmacy.com doi: 10.1310/hpj4902-136 Special Feature Light-Sensitive Injectable Prescription Drugs University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Drug Information Group * E xposure to light is a concern with numerous medications due to the potential for photodeg- radation or other chemical reactions that affect drug stability. In 2009, Hospital Pharmacy published a list of oral medications that require protection from light. 1 This reference does not provide information on injectable drugs and, to our knowledge, there is no comprehensive list of injectable medications that require protection from light published in the United States. 2 Therefore, the purpose of this table is to sup- plement the previously published list of oral medi- cations by identifying injectable drugs that require protection from light. A list of injectable medications that require light protection was generated utilizing Facts & Compari- sons. 3 A comprehensive list of monographs that con- tained the words “protect” and “light” was created in December 2012. Additional searches were performed using similar phrases such as “exposure to light.” For drug classes that appeared to have several medica- tions requiring light protection, monographs for the whole class were checked. A supplementary search was performed in May 2013 to ensure inclusion of new injectable medications approved through April 2013. The prescribing information (PI) was used as the primary reference for each injectable medica- tion. Additional resources were used to confrm this information. 4-7 For medications with numerous manufacturers, multiple PIs were checked for accu- racy. When it was found that not all manufactur- ers specifed the need for light protection, this was noted in the additional comments feld and only the brand names of products requiring light protection were listed in the table. When information was not available or consistent among these references, addi- tional sources were checked, a literature search was performed, and/or the manufacturer was contacted. These data are noted in the additional comments feld and are referenced accordingly. Despite efforts to confrm the information in at least 2 additional sources, some medications have the PI as the only source with instructions for light protection includ- ing those approved between December 2012 and April 2013. When stability depends on light protec- tion during storage, reconstitution, dilution, and/ or administration, the reader should consult the references listed in the additional comments feld for further details. Additional storage requirements (eg, temperature, humidity) are not included in this table. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information presented in this chart, the reader is advised that the authors, Hospital Pharmacy, or Thomas Land Pub- lishers cannot be held responsible for the currency of the information, for any errors or omissions, or for any consequences that may arise. The reader should consult the product prescribing information for the most current information. * The following individuals are acknowledged for their contribution to this document: Shadi Ghaibi, PharmD, BCPS; Heather J. Ipema, PharmD, BCPS; Rita Soni, PharmD, BCPS; Richard J. DeBartolo, Jr, PharmD; and Carissa E. Mancuso, PharmD.