Bacteriostatic Water for Injection by Hospira, Multiple Dose Vials 30 mL 25/Pack (Rx)

Bacteriostatic Water for Injection is a pharmaceutical-grade sterile diluent formulated with 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, enabling safe multiple withdrawals from a single vial without contamination when aseptic technique is maintained. Manufactured by Hospira Inc. (a Pfizer subsidiary) and meeting USP monograph standards, this product is the industry standard for medication reconstitution, peptide preparation, and injectable therapy across hospitals, clinics, compounding pharmacies, and licensed aesthetic practices.

This product is available exclusively for licensed healthcare professionals and institutions. Mountainside Medical offers competitive wholesale pricing, fast US-wide shipping (free over $100), and direct access to the trusted Hospira Pfizer formulation that practitioners rely on daily.

Clinical Applications: When & How Bacteriostatic Water Is Used

Bacteriostatic water serves as the essential diluent for dozens of injectable medications and biologics across clinical settings. Understanding its specific applications helps practitioners select the correct product and maintain regulatory compliance.

Medication Reconstitution

Many medications arrive as sterile powders requiring dissolution in a sterile medium before injection. Bacteriostatic water is the standard choice for powdered antibiotics (cephalosporins, penicillins), hormone therapies, and biologics. Once reconstituted, the benzyl alcohol preservation allows the prepared solution to remain sterile across multiple withdrawals throughout a clinical shift.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), Human Growth Hormone (HGH), testosterone, and B12 are frequently supplied in powdered form and require reconstitution with bacteriostatic water before injection. The multi-dose vial format allows clinical staff to draw multiple doses from a single preparation over several days or weeks, provided the vial is stored appropriately and aseptic technique is followed.

Peptide Therapy Preparation

Research and therapeutic peptides frequently arrive as lyophilised (freeze-dried) powders. Bacteriostatic water is the standard choice for peptide dissolution, as the benzyl alcohol preservative maintains solution sterility across the multiple withdrawals typical in peptide therapy protocols.

Vaccine & Immunologic Preparation

Certain vaccines and immunologic agents require reconstitution immediately before administration. Bacteriostatic water provides a stable, preserved diluent suitable for this purpose in clinical and public health settings.

Compounding & Pharmacy Preparation

Hospital compounding pharmacies rely on bacteriostatic water to prepare sterile injections and parenteral solutions. The multi-dose vial enables efficient batch preparation of commonly used medication solutions, reducing vial-to-vial waste and lowering per-dose material costs.

Aesthetic & Wellness Practices

Licensed healthcare professionals in aesthetic medicine and wellness clinics use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution of injectable therapies — including hormone therapy maintenance and peptide therapy protocols — in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.

Why Choose Hospira Pfizer Bacteriostatic Water for Injection?

Manufacturer Credentials & Quality Standards

Hospira Inc., a Pfizer subsidiary, is among the world's largest manufacturers of sterile injectable pharmaceuticals. The company operates under rigorous FDA inspection protocols and maintains cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) certification across all manufacturing facilities. This level of oversight is not universal across pharmaceutical suppliers — Hospira's parent company subjects all products to independent verification and traceability standards required by institutional purchasers and regulatory bodies.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety Documentation

The Hospira Pfizer formulation meets USP <797> standards for sterile compounding — the official US standard governing the preparation, compounding, dispensing, and repackaging of sterile preparations. Facilities that use non-compliant water risk regulatory violations and institutional liability. Each vial is tested for:^[1]

• Sterility: Confirmed through USP <71> sterility testing, ensuring absence of viable microorganisms
• Pyrogenicity: Verified as pyrogen-free through USP <85> endotoxin testing
• pH & Osmolality: Maintained within strict pharmaceutical ranges to prevent tissue damage upon injection
• Benzyl Alcohol Concentration: Verified at 0.9% ± tolerance, ensuring predictable bacteriostatic efficacy

Hospira's Track Record in High-Volume Healthcare

Hospira bacteriostatic water has been the standard diluent in US hospitals for over 30 years. Major health systems — including academic medical centres, regional hospital networks, and speciality clinics — maintain Hospira as their exclusive source, a preference driven by consistent quality, reliable supply, and documented safety records.

Multi-Dose Vial Safety: Proper Handling & Aseptic Technique

The key advantage of bacteriostatic water is safe reuse within a single vial. However, this benefit depends entirely on practitioners maintaining proper aseptic technique. Improper handling can introduce contamination that the preservative cannot overcome.

How the Benzyl Alcohol Preservative Works

Benzyl alcohol does not kill bacteria — it inhibits their growth. When a sterile needle punctures the vial septum, the benzyl alcohol creates an environment hostile to bacterial multiplication. However, if large quantities of non-sterile material are introduced, the preservative cannot prevent infection. Safe multiple withdrawals require:

• Sterile, single-use needles for each withdrawal
• Alcohol-based antisepsis of the rubber septum before each needle insertion
• Aseptic hand hygiene throughout
• Proper temperature and light storage (see Storage section below)

Opened Vial Stability

Once the rubber septum is first punctured, the vial clock begins. Per USP <797> and CDC guidelines:

• Room Temperature (20–25°C): Stable for up to 28 days after first use when stored away from direct light
• After 28 Days: Discard the entire vial regardless of remaining volume

Best Practice: Mark the date of first use directly on the vial with a permanent marker and establish a routine discard schedule. Many hospitals implement this as part of daily pharmacy rounds.

Storage Requirements & Stability

Temperature & Light Conditions

Store bacteriostatic water at controlled room temperature (20–25°C / 68–77°F), protected from freezing and excessive heat. Key rules:

• Do NOT refrigerate unless directed by facility protocol — condensation may compromise the vial
• Do NOT freeze — freezing compromises the formulation and sterile container
• Store away from direct light, heat sources, and chemical fumes
• Keep in original packaging until use to minimise humidity exposure

Unopened Vial Shelf Life

Hospira Pfizer bacteriostatic water has a shelf life of typically 3 years from the date of manufacture under recommended conditions. The expiration date is printed on the vial and carton — always verify before use, particularly for bulk orders stored over extended periods.

Opened Vial Stability

Under proper storage and aseptic use, opened vials are stable for 28 days per USP <797> guidelines. Some institutions extend this to 35 days if documented aseptic protocols are rigorously followed; consult your facility's pharmacy director. After the 28-day window, discard the vial regardless of remaining volume.

Contraindications, Warnings & Safety Considerations

Use in Neonatal Populations

Benzyl alcohol preservative is associated with an increased risk in neonates and premature infants. The FDA recommends that bacteriostatic water NOT be used for neonatal injection or reconstitution in patients under 4 weeks of age. For neonatal patients, use sterile water for injection without preservatives, prepared in accordance with USP <797> immediately before use. This restriction does not apply to older pediatric and adult patients.

Benzyl Alcohol Hypersensitivity

Rare but documented cases of benzyl alcohol hypersensitivity exist, particularly in patients with known allergy to benzoic acid or related compounds, history of allergic reactions to local anaesthetics, or severe atopic conditions. If a patient reports a previous adverse reaction to injectable solutions, consult the prescribing physician or pharmacist before use. Alternative diluents may be indicated.

Medication Incompatibilities

Benzyl alcohol can interact with or inactivate certain medications. Do NOT use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution of:

• Ceftriaxone sodium (in neonatal populations)
• Diazepam IV (risk of precipitation)
• Fat emulsions or lipid-based medications
• Certain monoclonal antibodies or biologic agents

Always consult the medication's package insert for compatible diluents. When in doubt, contact your facility's pharmacy department.

Vascular Administration (IV Use)

Bacteriostatic water is hypotonic and should never be administered intravenously as a standalone fluid. It is formulated only as a diluent for solid medications or concentrated solutions — not as a hydration agent. When used to reconstitute IV medications, the final diluted product is administered, not the bacteriostatic water alone.

Bacteriostatic Water vs. Sterile Water vs. Saline: Which Diluent to Use?

Two primary types of sterile injection water are available, alongside saline. Understanding the differences prevents medication preparation errors and ensures regulatory compliance.

When to Choose Bacteriostatic Water

Bacteriostatic water is the appropriate choice whenever a medication preparation will be accessed multiple times over hours or days. High-volume facilities, compounding pharmacies, and settings where efficiency and waste reduction are priorities benefit most from the multi-dose format.

When Non-Bacteriostatic Sterile Water Is Preferred

Non-bacteriostatic sterile water is indicated for single-dose applications, neonatal care where benzyl alcohol is contraindicated, and medications whose package inserts specify a preservative-free diluent. Always consult the medication's prescribing information first.

When Saline Is the Right Choice

Choose Sodium Chloride 0.9% when the medication requires an isotonic carrier for intravenous administration, or when preparing normal saline flushes. Saline is isotonic (same osmolality as blood) and safe for direct IV administration, unlike bacteriostatic or sterile water alone.

Regulatory & Legal Information

Prescription Status & Licensing Requirements

Bacteriostatic Water for Injection is classified as a prescription pharmaceutical product under FDA regulations. Mountainside Medical can only sell this product to individuals and organisations that:

• Hold a valid professional healthcare license (MD, DO, RN, NP, PA, PharmD, etc.) OR represents a licensed healthcare institution
• Provide proof of licensure upon request
• Confirm that purchase and use comply with applicable state and federal pharmaceutical regulations

Purchase or possession of this product by unlicensed individuals is prohibited by law.

Compliance with State Regulations on Injectable Therapies

While bacteriostatic water itself is legal to purchase with appropriate credentials, the medications reconstituted with this product must comply with state law. It is the responsibility of each practitioner to verify that their intended use complies with their state's medical board regulations and state pharmacy law. Specific areas requiring verification include:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HGH, HCG, and testosterone may be subject to state-specific restrictions outside traditional medical indications
• Aesthetic Injectables: Some states restrict administration to licensed physicians only, excluding NPs or PAs
• Peptide Therapies: Some peptides are classified as research chemicals in certain states — confirm legal status with your state health department before procurement

Off-Label Use Considerations

Medications reconstituted with bacteriostatic water may be administered off-label. However, off-label use requires informed patient consent, must be supported by clinical evidence or professional consensus, and is the legal responsibility of the prescriber — not the pharmaceutical supplier. Mountainside Medical is a distributor of pharmaceutical products and does not advise on clinical use, dosing, or state-specific compliance.

How to Order Bacteriostatic Water from Mountainside Medical

Eligibility Requirements

This product (NDC 0409-3977-03) is available exclusively to:

• Licensed Healthcare Professionals: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, pharmacists, and other practitioners licensed to prescribe or administer injectable medications
• Healthcare Institutions: Hospitals, surgical centres, urgent care facilities, compounding pharmacies, and licensed clinics
• Professional Aesthetic Practices: Licensed medical facilities offering injectable therapies under the supervision of a licensed prescriber

Bulk Pricing & Volume Discounts

Wholesaler pricing is available for volume accounts. New customer accounts receive a 5% discount on their first purchase. For current pricing and volume quotes, contact the Mountainside Medical sales team:

• Phone: +1 (888) 687-4334
• Email: sales@mountainside-medical.com

Shipping & Delivery

• Ships to all 50 US states via temperature-controlled carrier
• Free shipping on orders over $100
• Product Condition Guarantee: Shipments include thermal packaging. If any vials arrive damaged, report within 24 hours of receipt for replacement

• What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and sterile water?

  Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth and allows multiple withdrawals from the same vial. Sterile water contains no preservative and is for single-dose use only — any remaining solution must be discarded after first use.

• Can I use bacteriostatic water for neonatal patients?

  No. Bacteriostatic water is contraindicated in neonates younger than 4 weeks old due to the risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity. Use non-bacteriostatic sterile water for injection for all neonatal applications.

• How long can I use a vial of bacteriostatic water after opening?

  Up to 28 days after first puncture, provided proper aseptic technique and room-temperature storage are maintained. Mark the date of first use on the vial and discard after 28 days regardless of remaining volume.

• Is bacteriostatic water the same as saline (normal saline)?

  No. Saline (sodium chloride 0.9%) is an isotonic salt solution safe for direct intravenous administration. Bacteriostatic water is hypotonic and should only be used as a diluent for medications — never administered alone as an IV fluid.

• What routes of administration are approved for bacteriostatic water?

  Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), and intradermal (ID). Always follow the reconstituted medication's approved route, not the diluent's route in isolation.

• What medications are incompatible with bacteriostatic water?

  Ceftriaxone sodium (in neonates), diazepam IV, fat emulsions, and certain monoclonal antibodies or biologics. Always consult the specific medication's package insert for compatible diluents before reconstitution.

• Can I purchase bacteriostatic water at a retail pharmacy?

  No. Bacteriostatic water is not stocked at retail pharmacies for consumer purchase. It is available only through licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers like Mountainside Medical to verified healthcare professionals and institutions.

• Do I need a prescription to buy from Mountainside Medical?

  A traditional patient prescription is not required. However, you must be a licensed healthcare professional or represent a licensed institution. Mountainside Medical verifies professional credentials during account setup before order fulfilment.

• What is included in a 25-pack?

  25 individual multi-dose vials, each containing 30 mL of bacteriostatic water for injection (0.9% benzyl alcohol). NDC: 0409-3977-03. Total volume per pack: 750 mL.

• What is the NDC code for this product?

  The NDC (National Drug Code) for Hospira Pfizer Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, 30 mL multi-dose vials (25/pack) is 0409-3977-03. This code uniquely identifies the product for pharmacy records, insurance billing, and regulatory compliance.