Bacteriostatic Water

Bacteriostatic Water is a sterile, nonpyrogenic preparation of water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, equivalent to 9 mg per mL, as a bacteriostatic preservative. It is supplied in a multidose vial designed to permit repeated withdrawals when proper aseptic technique is followed.

Unlike Sterile Water for Injection, which contains no antimicrobial preservative and is generally packaged for single-use applications, bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol to help inhibit the growth of susceptible microorganisms following initial vial entry. The preservative does not make the contents immune to contamination, sterilize the vial after improper handling, or replace aseptic technique.