Fun with in-line intravenous filtration

July 9, 2010 6:24 PM

Millipore SLSV025LS: "Do not use this product as an in-line filter for intravenous administration; it was not designed for that purpose." What will happen if I do?

This filter is specifically recommended for filtration of ReoPro for IV injection, so I'm guessing it has something to do with the suitability as an in-line filter. But why?

posted by trevyn to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

Some possibilities, none based on specific knowledge:
1. The filter may foul more rapidly than end-line specific filters
2. The filter may have a geometry that could bacterial growth in the 'non-clean' end, serving as an endotoxin source
3. The filter is inadequately vented and will not efficiently remove air
4. The filter membrane may be vulnerable to rupture on overpressure or push
posted by monocyte at 6:55 PM on July 9, 2010

I use filters similar to that (same brand, different filter material). You have to push pretty firmly to get the stuff through (or suck from the other end), it doesn't just flow. To be fair mine do .45 micron rather than 5 but you'd still have to apply pressure. I don't see how you could use it inline, pushing on the syringe causes the end to move around a bit for a start (and it is vulnerable to rupture on overpressure, it specifically mentions that in the pdf).
posted by shelleycat at 7:08 PM on July 9, 2010

Also when I read the instructions for the actual drug it is as I expected, it recommends you use that filter to filter the drug before putting it into the IV, and gives a different one for inline. I've used filters like this in the past for filtering drugs before injection and that's how it works, you push it through the millipore using a syringe (which is all wobbly and uneven and no way you'd want a person on the other end) into a sterile container then use a different syringe to draw from there for injection or add it to a drip bag or whatever (I used it for injections).

These syringe top filters are excellent and very easy to use when you follow the instructions, just not made for what you're thinking of.
posted by shelleycat at 7:14 PM on July 9, 2010

Altered flow rate.

Typical applications include particle or aggregate removal from protein solutions, such as monoclonal antibodies, extracted cellular or tissue- based solutions, and hormones, or drugs, such as insulin.
This would cause removal of some drugs from the IV solution. And it would be impossible to know for certain which it would and wouldn't effect, because no testing has been done for this use.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:14 PM on July 9, 2010

I don't think it's going to strip the drug out of the fluid because they're specifically designed as low binding (the quote above is telling you what aggregates it takes out, clumps above 5 microns) and also have been specifically recommended for filtering this drug by Eli Lilly (I assume, since their name is on the page). It is the correct product to filter this drug but should be used admixture (i.e. when adding it to the saline or dextrose before hooking up the i.v.) not during administration. They suggest a different filter for doing that.

But altered flow rate is the problem, mainly because I don't think there will be any flow rate used this way.
posted by shelleycat at 7:27 PM on July 9, 2010