While both bacteriostatic water and sterile water are sterile, the main difference is that sterile water for injection lacks a bacteriostatic agent. As a result, it comes in single-dose vials and needs to be discarded after one use.
What Is Bacteriostatic Water ?
Bacteriostatic Water (bacteriostatic water for injection) is a purified, sterile solution which contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, and is commonly used to dilute or dissolve medications for injection. Since it has a pH of approximately 5.7, it is created in order to prevent bacterial growth, thanks to the benzyl alcohol it contains. This feature allows the container to be accessed multiple times (typically using a sterile needle).
By making sure that bacteria cannot grow, bacteriostatic water recues the risk of contamination, which is important when preparing medications for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous injections. After opening, the benzyl alcohol typically keeps the solution bacteria-free for up to 28 days.
Side effects from bacteriostatic water are uncommon and are generally linked to the medication mixed with it rather than the water itself. However, it should never be injected on its own, because the benzyl alcohol can cause red blood cell lysis, which is then going to lead to the breakdown of cells. But the other reported side effects include tissue damage, venous thrombosis, injection site infections, fever, abscess formation, and febrile reactions. If any of these occur, it is important to stop using the bac water and consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
What Is Sterile Water ?
Sterile water is a purified water solution that doesn’t have any added preservatives or additives. Because of its pathogen-free nature, it makes it ideal for use in medical applications. As soon as a vial of sterile water is opened, it should either be used entirely in a single instance or discarded after one use. This is why sterile water is typically packaged in small quantities, often just a few milliliters per vial.
While sterile water is generally safe when used in small amounts, it should never be administered intravenously. Some individuals may experience mild side effects, like inflammation at the injection site, mainly when sterile water is used to dilute peptides for intramuscular injections.
But the other potential side effects include low blood sodium (hyponatremia), fluid overload, allergic reactions (such as chest tightness or swelling of the face, mouth, or lips), fever, redness at the injection site, and electrolyte imbalances. If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of sterile water immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
Which One Is Better ?
Bacteriostatic water is mainly used for diluting medications due to its superior solubility in most cases. When working with new peptides, it is highly recommended to use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution. If you encounter difficulties in diluting peptides with bacteriostatic water, a small amount of 10% aqueous acetic acid can be used for basic peptides, or aqueous ammonia for acidic peptides.
Most peptide packaging includes detailed mixing instructions, which should be read carefully before reconstituting. Attempting to reconstitute a peptide intended for bacteriostatic water with sterile water can be potentially harmful. It is important to note that bacteriostatic water and sterile water are not interchangeable and should be used according to the specific requirements of the medication or peptide.
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