Bacteriostatic Water VS Sterile Water
Breakdown of the differences between bacteriostatic water and sterile water:
Bacteriostatic Water:
- **Composition**: Contains a bacteriostatic agent, usually benzyl alcohol.
- **Purpose**: Used to dilute or dissolve medications for injection, particularly in multi-dose vials.
- **Storage**: Can be used multiple times when stored properly.
- **Functionality**: Prevents bacterial growth, making it suitable for repeated use.
Sterile Water:
- **Composition**: Pure water that is sterilized and free from any additives.
- **Purpose**: Used for irrigation, diluting medications that do not require bacteriostatic properties, or preparing laboratory solutions.
- **Storage**: Generally intended for single use; discard any unused portions after opening.
- **Functionality**: Does not have any bacteriostatic agents, making it suitable for immediate use only.
In summary, the key difference lies in the presence of a bacteriostatic agent in bacteriostatic water, which allows for multiple uses, while sterile water is meant for single use without additives.
