Bacteriostatic water 10ml – Performance labs

Description

What is bacteriostatic water? Bacteriostatic water is a sterile solution that contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic organic molecule with a six-membered ring and one hydroxymethyl (CH2-OH) attachment. The alcohol is an added preservative that contributes to the solution’s bacteriostatic nature.

Bacteriostatic water is most often used to dilute drugs to their proper concentration before they are injected parenterally. Parenteral drug administration involves administering drugs by any means other than orally or through the alimentary canal (digestive tract).

Bacteriostatic drug solutions can be accessed by multiple sterile needles without promoting the growth of bacteria. This means that as long as a new, clean, and sterile needle is used, one vial of the same drug can be administered multiple times without fear of contamination for up to 28 days.

Bacteriostatic Water Composition

Learning how to make bacteriostatic water is fairly straightforward. As mentioned, it is comprised of just two ingredients:

• Sterile or distilled water
• 0.9% benzyl alcohol

Distilled water is a type of purified water that is boiled to remove any contaminants and impurities. It is one of the purest forms of water and is preferred in medical settings and laboratories.

The amount of benzyl alcohol added is first determined by the amount of distilled water. For example, a vial of 10 mL of distilled water will require 0.09 mL of benzyl alcohol to make a 0.9% benzyl alcohol solution. This is because 10 mL multiplied by 0.9% is 0.09 mL.

To make bacteriostatic water, complete the following steps:

• Pour 10 mL of distilled water into a sterilized vial.
• Using a sterile syringe, remove 0.09 mL of benzyl alcohol from its original receptacle.
• Add the benzyl alcohol to the distilled water. Secure a cap on the vial.
• Roll the vial until the solution has been mixed thoroughly.