Bacteriostatic Water
Also known as: Bacteriostatic water for injection · BAC water
A preserved sterile water used as a diluent to reconstitute lyophilized peptides; it is a solvent, not a therapeutic.
Bacteriostatic Water at a glance
| Name | Bacteriostatic Water |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bacteriostatic water for injection, BAC water |
| Category | Solvents & reconstitution |
| Type | Amino / injectable |
| Sequence | Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative. |
| Typical dose | No therapeutic dose - volume chosen to reach a desired concentration |
| Frequency | Not applicable |
| Route | Diluent (mixed into a powder vial) |
| Half-life | Not applicable - it is a solvent, not an active compound. |
Overview
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water for injection with 0.9% benzyl alcohol added as a bacteriostatic preservative. The preservative lets a vial be entered multiple times over a limited period without supporting bacterial growth, which is why it is commonly chosen for reconstituting multi-use peptide vials.
How it’s thought to work
- Serves as the liquid vehicle that dissolves a lyophilized powder.
- The 0.9% benzyl alcohol inhibits bacterial growth in an entered vial.
- Allows repeated withdrawals from a multi-dose vial within its in-use window.
- Has no pharmacological action of its own on the target condition.
Researched uses
- Reconstituting lyophilized peptides and other powders
- Preparing multi-use injectable vials
- General diluent for compatible medications
- Laboratory and research dilution
Commonly cited protocol
| Typical dose | No therapeutic dose - volume chosen to reach a desired concentration |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Not applicable |
| Route | Diluent (mixed into a powder vial) |
| Notes | Often avoided in neonates and in large volumes due to benzyl alcohol content. |
Reconstitution
This item is itself the diluent. The volume added to a powder sets the final concentration (for example, 2 mL into a 5 mg vial yields 2.5 mg/mL). Its benzyl alcohol preservative makes it suited to multi-use vials.
Cautions
- A medical solvent, not a therapeutic agent.
- Benzyl alcohol can be unsuitable for neonates and for very large cumulative volumes.
- Maintain aseptic technique and observe in-use dating.
- Educational information only, not medical advice.
Bacteriostatic Water FAQ
What is Bacteriostatic Water?
A preserved sterile water used as a diluent to reconstitute lyophilized peptides; it is a solvent, not a therapeutic.
How does Bacteriostatic Water work?
Serves as the liquid vehicle that dissolves a lyophilized powder. The 0.9% benzyl alcohol inhibits bacterial growth in an entered vial. Allows repeated withdrawals from a multi-dose vial within its in-use window. Has no pharmacological action of its own on the target condition.
What is Bacteriostatic Water used for?
Reconstituting lyophilized peptides and other powders; Preparing multi-use injectable vials; General diluent for compatible medications; Laboratory and research dilution.
What is a typical Bacteriostatic Water dose?
No therapeutic dose - volume chosen to reach a desired concentration, Not applicable, Diluent (mixed into a powder vial). This is a commonly cited figure for context only, not medical advice.
How do you reconstitute Bacteriostatic Water?
This item is itself the diluent. The volume added to a powder sets the final concentration (for example, 2 mL into a 5 mg vial yields 2.5 mg/mL). Its benzyl alcohol preservative makes it suited to multi-use vials.
What is the half-life of Bacteriostatic Water?
Not applicable - it is a solvent, not an active compound.