Bacteriostatic water is sterile, pyrogen-free water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, allowing multi-dose vials to be used repeatedly by inhibiting bacterial growth after the vial is punctured, making it ideal for reconstituting powdered medications (like hormones, peptides, antibiotics) for injection (IM, IV, SQ) and extending shelf life up to 28 days with proper sterile technique. It differs from sterile water (single-use only) and is used to prepare injectable drugs, preventing contamination and allowing for longer usability after opening
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Key Characteristics & Uses:
- Preservative: Contains 0.9% (or sometimes 1.1%) benzyl alcohol to stop bacteria from growing.
- Multi-Dose: The preservative allows repeated withdrawals from the same vial over time, unlike sterile water.
- Diluent: Used to dissolve or dilute powdered medications into a liquid form for injection.
- Injection Routes: Suitable for intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SQ) administration, depending on the drug.
- Shelf Life: Can be used for up to 28 days after first puncture if handled aseptically.
What It’s NOT:
- Not Sterile Water: Sterile water has no microorganisms but lacks a preservative; bacteriostatic water has a bacteriostat.
- Not for Direct IV Infusion (Usually): While it can be used intravenously for diluting drugs, injecting bacteriostatic water alone intravenously can cause red blood cells to burst (hemolysis), so it’s primarily for mixing
Common Applications:
- Mixing peptides, hormones (like HGH, hCG), and some antibiotics.
- Home medication management for chronic conditions.
- Emergency preparedness kits.
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