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IV Containers

Environmental Safety

• The incineration of PVC products produces toxic HCl and contributes to acid rain
• Fewer emissions - 30 times less toxic than PVC when incinerated
• EXCEL® IV containers weigh 28%- 48% less than comparable PVC containers (both with overwrap)
• Reduced waste saves 30% annually in landfill and disposal costs

Patient Safety

PVC-free, DEHP-free products help protect susceptible populations: critically ill male neonates, pregnant and lactating women, pediatric patients, adolescent boys, and chemotherapy patients. Animal toxicity studies indicate that the following organs are targeted: testes, liver and kidneys. Medications, such as Taxol, exacerbate DEHP leaching.

Products that exacerbate leaching:

• Blood/blood products
• Cyclosporine
• Chlordiazepoxide HCl
• Dosetaxel
• Etoposide
• Lipid Emulsions
• Paclitaxel¹
• Teniposide

Sorption risk from the presence of PVC can result in reduced levels of medication being delivered.
The following drugs adsorb to PVC medical products:^2,3

• Aldesleukin
• Calcitriol
• Carmustine
• Chlordiazepoxide HCl
• Diazepam
• Insulin
• Isosorbide Dinitrate
• Lorazepam
• Miconazole
• Nitroglycerin
• Sufentanil Citrate
• Thiopental Sodium
• Urokinase
• Warfarin Sodium

1 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Oncology Division. Taxol (Paclitaxel) Injection Administration, Equipment, 11/99 Equipment
2 Chemical and Physical Compatibility of Selected Drugs in EXCEL® Container System
3 Glass and Accumed™ IV Delivery Systems Drug Additive and Chemical Physical Compatibility Guide