Sterile diluent

Sterile Water℞

for Injection, USP

Sterile Water for Injection is a preservative-free diluent used to dissolve or dilute compatible injectable medicines. The 10 mL Hospira plastic vial contains no antimicrobial agent and is intended for single-dose use.

  • Preservative-free
  • Single-dose vial
  • Prescription only
Presentation shown10 mL vial

Hospira / Pfizer
Single-dose plastic vial

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About this diluent

Preservative-free, with a specific purpose.

Sterile Water for Injection is a liquid for preparing compatible injectable medicines. Its preservative-free formulation and single-dose container determine how this diluent differs from bacteriostatic water.

Liquid vehicleSterile waterWater for Injection, USPFor preparing compatible injectable medicines
Preservative contentNoneNo antimicrobial preservativeNo added buffer
10 mL Hospira single-dose plastic vial [2]

Why a medicine may need sterile water

Some injectable medicines need to be dissolved before use; others require dilution to the specified concentration. Sterile Water for Injection provides the water used for that preparation when the medicine’s instructions call for it. The choice of diluent, amount and route all depend on the prescribed medicine.

It is intended for use with compatible drugs. Intravenous administration of sterile water on its own can damage red blood cells. [2]

What preservative-free means here

This Hospira formulation contains no bacteriostatic agent, antimicrobial preservative or added buffer. That makes it different from bacteriostatic water, which contains an added preservative. Those ingredients matter when choosing a diluent for a particular medicine.

A preservative-free label does not establish compatibility with every medication. The medicine’s prescribing instructions remain the reference for selecting the appropriate liquid and for the storage of a prepared medication. [2] [4]

Understanding the 10 mL single-dose vial

The pictured Hospira presentation is a 10 mL plastic Fliptop vial. That is the liquid volume in one vial; the manufacturer’s pack contains 25 individual vials. Neither figure describes the amount needed for a particular medication.

Single-dose means the container is intended for one patient during one case, procedure or injection. CDC advises against retaining leftover contents for later use, even for the same person. Liquid remaining in the vial does not make it suitable for another preparation. [1] [3]

Product details & packaging

The reference presentation

Manufacturer labeling for the 10 mL Hospira plastic vial. [1] [2]

Contents
10 mL
Container
Single-dose plastic Fliptop vial
Antimicrobial preservative
None
U.S. labeling

Formulation and container details from the manufacturer’s labeling. [2]

Packaging & manufacturer identifiers

Individual-vial NDC
00409-4887-17
Manufacturer pack NDC
00409-4887-10
Manufacturer pack
25 individual 10 mL vials

Vial volume describes the liquid in one container; pack quantity counts the individual vials. These identifiers help match the exact presentation. [1]

Understand how the diluents differ.

Compare all four formulations, or explore the related product guide for a closer look at the preservative and container differences.

How it works

The care experience we’re building.

Our planned service connects clinician evaluation, prescription review and pharmacy delivery in one clear path.

  1. Clinical evaluation

    An online clinician review of your medications and care needs.

  2. Prescription, when appropriate

    A clinician determines whether a prescription is suitable for your treatment.

  3. Pharmacy delivery

    Pharmacy fulfillment and delivery after the required clinical and prescription checks, subject to eligibility and availability.

Already have a prescription? Our planned service also includes a prescription-verification pathway.

More about our planned service

Use & handling

Important information

  • Not for injection on its own. Intravenous administration of sterile water alone can damage red blood cells.
  • Single-dose means one use. Discard the unused portion; do not save it for another preparation.
  • Compatibility is medicine-specific. The prescribed medicine’s instructions determine the diluent and preparation.

Your clinician or pharmacist can clarify the diluent and handling required for your medicine. [2]

Read the full prescribing information (opens a new tab)

Common questions

Your questions, answered

Do I need a prescription?

Yes. This Hospira product is labeled prescription only. [2]

How is it different from bacteriostatic water?

This formulation has no antimicrobial preservative and comes in a single-dose container. Bacteriostatic water contains a preservative. [2] [4] Explore the differences.

Can I keep what is left in the vial?

No. CDC advises against saving single-dose leftovers for another use, even for the same person. [3]

Does 10 mL mean I should use the whole vial?

No. It is the container’s fill volume, not a medication dose. The medicine’s instructions determine the amount required. [2]

How should it be stored?

The label specifies 20–25°C (68–77°F). A prepared medicine has separate storage and stability requirements; follow its manufacturer’s instructions. [2]

Sources & manufacturer information

  1. Pfizer Hospital: Sterile Water, 10 mL plastic vial (opens a new tab)
  2. Hospira: Sterile Water for Injection, USP prescribing information (opens a new tab)
  3. CDC: Preventing Unsafe Injection Practices (opens a new tab)
  4. Hospira: Bacteriostatic Water for Injection prescribing information (opens a new tab)