TCA2

Stability-Time Profile
of Trichloroacetic Acid
at Various Concentrations
and Storage Conditions
ALAN L. SPINOWITZ, M.D.
JEAN RUMSFIELD, PHARM.D.
Abstract. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a deliquescent extemporaneously prepared into solution form.
chemical widely used for a variety of procedures. Stabil- Since concentration is critical to therapeutic out-
ity of various concentrations of TCA in both amber glass come, we undertook this study to determine the
and plastic bottles stored under refrigeration and at room
temperature was measured at several time points. Ex- stability, shelf-life, and proper storage of stock bot-
tended stability data suggest that TCA potency is stable tles of TCA solution.
for 23 weeks and would best be maintained in glass am-
ber bottles stored under refrigeration. J Dermatol Surg
Oncol 1989; 15:974-975. METHODS
The actual concentration over time, or stability of

TCA solutions in water, was measured at several
time points under various storage conditions. The
INTRODUCTION
more frequently utilized concentrations of 15%,
25%, 35%, and 50% were studied in both amber
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a chemical widely used
glass and plastic bottles. Stock solutions (240 ml)
by dermatologic surgeons and dermatologists for a
were prepared with TCA crystals USP (Amend
variety of procedures. The office ”stock bottle” of
Drug and Chemical, Irvingwood, NJ) and distilled
TCA may be used for superficial, medium or deep
water. One set of samples was stored at room tem-
chemical peeling, keratoses, and treatment of warts
perature (24°C) and the other set was refrigerated
or molluscum.’,* Experience has shown that the
at 4°C.
depth of the wound produced by TCA is dose- Concentration of TCA was assayed colormetri-
d e ~ e n d e n t .Therefore,
~,~ the actual concentration of
cally using the Fujwara m e t h ~ d Concentrations
.~
TCA in the ”stock bottle” may have major impact
were measured immediately after preparation
on the outcome of a given procedure. TCA is a (baseline) and after 1, 3, 7, 11, 16, 19, and 23 weeks
deliquescent crystal, which, in most instances, is
of storage. The Fujwara assay is stability indicating
with an intra- and interassay reproducibility of
7%-10%. Three samples of each concentration were
assayed at each time point. Sample bottles re-
Alan L. Spinowitz, M.D., is Clinical Assistant Professor mained open for a total of approximately 2 hours
of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, State Uni- every 4 weeks, which probably simulates many of-
versity of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn,
New York.
fice conditions. TCA concentration and the percent
of baseline concentration remaining at each sam-
Jean Rumsfield, Pharm.D., is Clinical Assistant Profes-
sor, Department of Dermatology, University of Illinois at pling time was calculated from the average of the 3
Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. samples. A change from baseline concentration of
Address reprint requests to Alan L. Spinowitz, M.D., 30 greater than 10% was considered to represent a sig-
Merrick Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. nificant loss of potency.
974 Dermatol Surg Oncol 15:9 September 1989
SPINOWITZ AND RUMSFIELD
45
40
:pp;/
S
o
0 1 3 7 11
WEEKS
16 19 23
15' -
1
-
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 3 7 11
WEEKS
16 18
*t
23
FIGURE 1. TCA stability at refrigerated temperature. FIGURE 2. TCA stability at room temperature.
RESULTS These data also suggest that TCA potency would

best be maintained under refrigeration, although
All samples stored in plastic bottles penetrated and storage at room temperature would not be contra-
destroyed the containers over time. This container indicated.
destruction appeared to be dose-dependent with Although not addressed in this study, stock bot-
the 50% dissolving on day 1, the 35% and 25% at tle contamination from repeated insertion of cotton-
day 7, and 15% on day 14. tipped applicators is possible. During prolonged
Refrigerated samples in amber glass bottles gen- procedures it would be prudent to pour a small
erally maintained baseline potency at each sam- amount of stock solution into a small, wide-mouth
pling period. At week 23, all samples contained glass container (ie, a shot glass) for easier use and
99%-100% of their original potency of 50%, 35%, to avoid the potential for contamination.
25%, and 15% (Fig. 1).
Overall, the samples in amber glass bottles
stored at room temperature degraded slightly more Acknowledgments. The authors would like to acknowl-
than the refrigerated samples at each sampling pe- edge Thomas Tolhurst and James Fischer, Pharm.D., of
the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, College of
riod. Significant loss of potency defined as a greater Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, for their
than 10% decrease from baseline concentration oc- technical assistance with this study.
curred in only the 25% sample stored at room tem-
perature. However, at week 23 all samples con-
tained 97%-100% of their original potency of 50%, REFERENCES
35%, 25%, and 15% (Fig. 2). 1. Brody HJ. Medium-depth chemical peeling of the skin: A vari-
ation of superficial chemosurgery. Adv Dermatol 3:205-218,
1988.
2. Resnick SS, Lewis LA. The cosmetic uses of trichloroacetic
DISCUSSION acid peeling in dermatology. South Med J 66:225-227, 1973.
3. Stegman SJ. A comparative histologic study of the effects of
Solutions of TCA in concentrations of 15%, 25%, three peeling agents and dermabrasion on normal and sun-
35%, and 50% appear to be relatively stable for 23 damaged skin. Aesthetic Plast Surg 6:123-135, 1982.
4. Lober CW. Chemexfoliation-indications and cautions. J Am
weeks. This stability eliminates the need for freshly
Acad Dermatol 17:109-112, 1987.
preparing solutions on the same day as the proce- 5. Set0 TA, Schultze MO. Determination of trichloroethylene,
dure. Amber glass bottles are clearly superior to trichloroacetic acid and trichlorethanol in urine. Anal Chem
plastic containers for even short-term storage. 28~1625-1629, 1956.
J Dermatol Surg Oncol 15:9 September 1989 975

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Stability-Time Profile

The actual concentration over time, or stability of

RESULTS These data also suggest that TCA potency would

J Dermatol Surg Oncol 15:9 September 1989 975

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