How many units of bacteriostatic water are needed to reconstitute a vial containing 10 International Units of human growth hormone?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 20, 2026View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

HGH Reconstitution Volume

Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 10 IU vial of HGH to achieve a standard concentration of 10 IU/mL, which provides optimal dosing precision and stability for subcutaneous administration.

Reconstitution Rationale

The volume of bacteriostatic water used for reconstitution should be based on achieving a practical concentration that balances injection volume, dosing accuracy, and solution stability:

  • Standard concentration approach: Using 1 mL of bacteriostatic water for a 10 IU vial creates a 10 IU/mL solution, allowing for straightforward dosing where each 0.1 mL (10 units on an insulin syringe) delivers 1 IU of HGH 1

  • Alternative concentrations: You may use 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to create a 5 IU/mL solution if larger injection volumes are acceptable, or 0.5 mL for a 20 IU/mL concentration if minimizing injection volume is critical 1

Proper Reconstitution Technique

Follow strict aseptic technique to prevent contamination and preserve drug integrity:

  • Sanitize the vial stopper with 70% isopropanol before needle insertion to prevent microbial contamination 2

  • Inject the bacteriostatic water slowly down the side of the vial rather than directly onto the powder to minimize foaming and protein denaturation 2

  • Gently swirl the vial in a circular motion until the powder is completely dissolved—never shake vigorously, as this can damage the protein structure of HGH 2

  • Visually inspect the reconstituted solution for clarity and absence of particulate matter before use; discard if discolored or cloudy 2, 3

Storage and Stability Considerations

Proper storage is essential for maintaining HGH potency after reconstitution:

  • Refrigerate immediately at 2-8°C (36-46°F) after reconstitution 2

  • Multi-dose stability: Bacteriostatic water contains approximately 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, permitting multi-dose use for up to 28 days when refrigerated 2, 1

  • Label the vial with the reconstitution date, concentration, and beyond-use date to prevent dosing errors 2

Critical Safety Points

Avoid common reconstitution errors that compromise drug safety and efficacy:

  • Never use sterile water for injection (without preservative) for multi-dose vials, as this significantly increases contamination risk 2

  • Do not use expired or moisture-exposed powder that appears discolored or clumped before reconstitution 2

  • Discard any reconstituted solution that develops discoloration, cloudiness, or visible particles during storage 2, 3

  • Maintain sterile technique throughout the process, avoiding contact of needles or syringes with non-sterile surfaces 2

References

Guideline

NAD+ Reconstitution Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Guideline

Reconstitution of Retatrutide 12mg Powder Vial

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Related Questions

How do I reconstitute a 10 IU vial of human growth hormone (HGH) using sterile technique?
Can I reconstitute a 60mg Retatrutide (generic name) vial with 3mL of bacteriostatic water (BW) for injection?
Can I add more than 3mL of bacteriostatic water to reconstitute Retatrutide (generic name)?
What is the stability and shelf life of dexamethasone (corticosteroid) mixed with bacteriostatic water (preservative-containing water) for Intramuscular (IM) injection?
What is the concentration in international units per milliliter after reconstituting a 10‑international‑unit vial of human growth hormone with 1 mL bacteriostatic water?
Adult patient 10 days after nasal polypectomy and uvula trimming presenting with severe throat pain—what are the likely causes and recommended evaluation and management?
What is the pathophysiology of lithium‑induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Is red light therapy safe and effective for a generally healthy adult with mild to moderate skin conditions or localized musculoskeletal pain, and what protocol should be followed?
How should venlafaxine be dosed and titrated in adults, including adjustments for patients ≥65 years, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, and what monitoring and tapering are required?
What is the cause of an elevated ferritin of 267 ng/mL in a 33‑year‑old woman?
What are the pneumococcal vaccination guidelines for children under 2 years, adults 19‑64 with chronic or immunocompromising conditions, and adults 65 years or older?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.