Hospira BAC water 30ml is a 30 mL multi-dose vial of preserved sterile water. Learn what it contains, how it is stored, and its 28-day shelf life after opening.
Hospira BAC water 30ml is a 30 mL multi-dose vial of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, manufactured by Hospira, a Pfizer company. It is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth so the vial can be entered more than once. It is used as a diluent to reconstitute lyophilized powders and to dilute medications where a preserved multi-dose vial is appropriate.
What Hospira BAC Water 30ml Contains
Bacteriostatic water is not a drug. It is a diluent, and the 30 mL Hospira vial has only two components worth noting:
- Water for Injection, USP — sterile, purified water that meets United States Pharmacopeia standards.
- Benzyl alcohol 0.9% — roughly 9 mg per mL, added purely as a bacteriostatic preservative.
Benzyl alcohol at 0.9% is the only meaningful difference between bacteriostatic water and plain sterile water. That same preservative is why the product carries specific warnings for newborns and for certain routes of administration.
Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, is a prescription drug product in the United States when it is marketed for human use. Vials sold as "research use only" are not FDA-approved for human injection.
Hospira BAC Water 30ml vs. 10ml vs. Plain Sterile Water
Most people shopping for a diluent are choosing between a few very similar products. The differences come down to volume and preservative.
| Product | Volume | Preservative | Typical use | After first puncture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP | 30 mL | 0.9% benzyl alcohol | Reconstituting powders for repeated multi-dose use | Discard after 28 days |
| Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP | 10 mL | 0.9% benzyl alcohol | Smaller batches and short-term use | Discard after 28 days |
| Sterile Water for Injection, USP | 10–30 mL | None | Single-use dilution and IV compatibility | Discard immediately after use |
| 0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection, USP | Varies | None in single-dose vials | IV dilution and flushing | Discard after use |
Choose the 30 mL size when you expect to re-enter the same vial repeatedly over several weeks. The 10 mL vial makes more sense for small batches you will finish quickly, which is why many buyers compare hospira bac water 10ml with the larger format. Plain sterile water has no preservative at all, so it has to be handled as a single-use product.
Many shoppers comparing bac water 30ml against smaller options are really weighing cost per mL against how much they will realistically use. A larger vial saves nothing if it expires before it is finished.
How Bacteriostatic Water Is Used to Reconstitute Powders
Reconstitution means adding liquid to a freeze-dried powder so it can be measured and handled. The basic steps are the same whether you are working with a 10 mL or a 30 mL vial:
- Swab the stoppers of both vials with alcohol and let them dry.
- Draw the desired volume of diluent with a new syringe.
- Aim the liquid down the inside wall of the powder vial instead of directly at the cake, then swirl gently.
- Do not shake. Shaking can damage some peptides and proteins.
- Write the date and time of the first puncture on the vial label.
Vials of hospira bacteriostatic water 30ml are popular for this step because one vial can support several reconstitution sessions instead of being discarded after the first. That convenience is the reason the preservative exists in the first place.
Bacteriostatic water is not right for every application. It should not be used for intravenous administration in newborns, and it is not appropriate for intrathecal, epidural, or ophthalmic routes because of benzyl alcohol toxicity risk.
Storage and Shelf Life After Opening
Storage for 30ml bac water is simple, but the rules are strict. Hospira's labeling directs that the multi-dose vial be discarded 28 days after the first entry. Keep it at controlled room temperature, roughly 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and protect it from freezing and direct light.
- Write the puncture date on the label the first time you use the vial.
- Swab the stopper with alcohol before every needle insertion.
- Inspect the solution before each use and discard it if it looks cloudy or contains particles.
- Use a new needle and syringe for each entry; never reuse them.
The 28-day clock starts at the first puncture, not at the manufacturer's expiration date. A vial opened 40 days ago is out of date even if the printed expiration is two years away.
Safety, Legal Status, and Buying Tips
Bacteriostatic water is generally well tolerated, but benzyl alcohol is not inert. The FDA has warned that benzyl alcohol preservatives can cause serious adverse reactions, including "gasping syndrome," in premature and low-birth-weight infants.
Legal status depends on how a product is sold. Hospira's FDA-approved vials are prescription products, while many online listings are labeled "for research use only" and are not intended for human consumption. Anyone using a diluent alongside a prescribed medication should confirm with a pharmacist or physician that the specific product is appropriate.
How to Verify Authentic Pfizer Hospira BAC Water
Counterfeit and repackaged diluent vials do appear in the secondary market. When you review pfizer hospira bac water listings, check for:
- A National Drug Code (NDC) printed on both the vial and the carton.
- Consistent Hospira or Pfizer labeling, fonts, and lot-number formatting.
- An intact flip-off cap and a stopper that has never been punctured.
- Lot number and expiration date that match between the vial and the carton.
If the price sits far below the market rate or the packaging looks reprinted, treat the vial as suspect. Legitimate product can be traced back to the manufacturer through its NDC and lot number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hospira BAC water 30ml used for?
It is used as a preserved diluent to reconstitute lyophilized powders and to dilute medications where a multi-dose vial is appropriate. The 30 mL size is designed for repeated withdrawals over a few weeks. Bacteriostatic water is not a medication itself and does not treat any condition.
How long is Hospira bacteriostatic water good after opening?
Per the manufacturer's labeling, discard the vial 28 days after the first puncture. Store it at controlled room temperature between 68°F and 77°F and keep it out of direct light. The printed expiration date applies only to unopened, properly stored vials.
Is bacteriostatic water the same as sterile water?
No. Sterile water for injection contains no preservative and must be treated as a single-use product. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth and allows multiple entries from one vial. The two are not interchangeable for every route of administration.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.