From the Guidelines
Yes, bacteriostatic water can be refrigerated. After opening, bacteriostatic water should ideally be stored in the refrigerator at 2-8°C (36-46°F) to maintain its sterility and extend its shelf life. Once opened, refrigerated bacteriostatic water typically remains viable for 28 days, after which it should be discarded. Unopened vials can be stored at room temperature (15-30°C or 59-86°F) until their expiration date. Refrigeration helps inhibit microbial growth in the solution, which contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative. When using refrigerated bacteriostatic water, allow it to warm to room temperature before mixing with medications to prevent discomfort during injection and to ensure proper dissolution of powdered medications. Always check the vial for clarity before use and discard if the solution appears cloudy or contains particles.
Some key points to consider when handling bacteriostatic water include:
- Storage conditions: unopened vials can be stored at room temperature, while opened vials should be refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F) 1.
- Shelf life: opened bacteriostatic water typically remains viable for 28 days, after which it should be discarded.
- Handling precautions: always check the vial for clarity before use and discard if the solution appears cloudy or contains particles.
- Refrigeration: refrigeration helps inhibit microbial growth in the solution, which contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative 1.
It's worth noting that the provided evidence does not directly address the refrigeration of bacteriostatic water, but general principles of sterile solution handling and storage can be applied 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study is preferred, and in this case, the guidelines for storage and handling of sterile solutions support the recommendation to refrigerate bacteriostatic water after opening 1.
From the Research
Bacteriostatic Water Refrigeration
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that specifically addresses whether bacteriostatic water can be refrigerated.
- However, the studies do provide information on the stability and compatibility of bacteriostatic water with various substances and under different conditions 2, 3, 4.
- One study mentions that reconstituted lyophilized samples stored at room temperature or 4 degrees C could minimize the risk of preservative-induced protein aggregation 2.
- Another study stored alteplase reconstituted in bacteriostatic water at 37 degrees C for 7 days and found it to remain relatively stable with retained bioactivity 3.
- A study on tenecteplase reconstituted in bacteriostatic water found it to be compatible with various materials for up to 96 hours, but does not mention refrigeration specifically 4.
- Other studies focus on the use of bacteriostatic water as a diluent or flush for intravascular catheters, and its local anesthetic properties 5, 6.
- Overall, while there is no direct answer to the question of whether bacteriostatic water can be refrigerated, the provided studies suggest that it can be stored at various temperatures without significant degradation or loss of effectiveness 2, 3, 4.