For a batch size of 5 L, 587.5 g (3.2 moles) of mannitol is dissolved in 3.5 L of water. Pamidronic acid (31.6 g, 0.133 moles) is mixed with a 1.0 L aliquot of the mannitol solution to form a slurry. The slurry is then transferred into the remainder of the mannitol solution, and stirred for at least 15 min. Aqueous 1 N sodium hydroxide (270 ml) is then added and the mixture is stirred until a clear, colorless solution results. The pH is then adjusted to 6.50.1 using either 1 M aqueous phosphoric acid or 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, as needed. The solution is then filtered through a 0.22 micron filter, and filled at 20°C into vials at 4.0 ml (4.172 g)/vial, under sterile conditions. The aqueous solution is frozen at -37°C and lyophilized (20 mbar, 20°-40°C) to yield 1,250 vials, each containing 30 mg of amorphous disodium pamidronate. The vials are sealed under positive nitrogen pressure. The disodium pamidronate is amorphous (noncrystalline) by X-ray diffraction and contains 0.7 wt-% water.
