Decomposition of vidarabine in a 5% glucose infusion fluid after steam sterilization was measured by HPLC and TLC analysis. After sterilization for 60 minutes at 100 degrees C and 20 minutes at 120 degrees C no degradation could be observed. A slight but significant degradation was observed after sterilization for 60 minutes at 120 degrees C followed by storage for eight months. Assuming 5% loss of content to be acceptable, it was concluded that a vidarabine infusion fluid can be sterilized for 20 minutes at 120 degrees C and stored at room temperature for at least eight months afterwards.