Side by side
| Sterile water for injection | Bacteriostatic water | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains | Water only | Water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol |
| The additive's job | None | Stops bacteria multiplying in the water |
| Typical container | Single-use ampoule or vial | Multiple-use vial |
| Short name | SWFI, WFI | Bac water |
What the benzyl alcohol does
"Bacteriostatic" means it holds bacteria back; it does not kill everything and it does not sterilise. It is there so that a vial entered more than once is less likely to grow bacteria between uses. The label on each product states how long an opened vial may be kept.
How each is supplied in the UAE
Sterile water for injection is a registered medicine. Pharmacies and hospitals hold it, and a pharmacy is the place to ask for it.
Bacteriostatic water is sold under different labels by different suppliers. Ours is a laboratory diluent, labelled for research use only, and supplied to laboratories and businesses we have verified. We do not sell it to individuals, and it is not a substitute for a registered medicine. Bacteriostatic water, 3 ml vials
Questions people ask
- Is bacteriostatic water the same as water for injections?
No. Water for injections has nothing added.
- Can I get sterile water at a pharmacy?
Sterile water for injection is a pharmacy product. Ask a licensed pharmacy what it can supply and on what terms.
- Can I buy bacteriostatic water over the counter?
Not from us. We supply business buyers only.
- Is "benzyl alcohol water" the same thing?
It is a loose name for bacteriostatic water: water preserved with benzyl alcohol, at 0.9%.
- How should each be stored?
As its label states. For general laboratory practice, see how to store peptides.