A Hospira bacteriostatic water case holds 25 vials of 30 mL preserved sterile water for reconstitution. Learn what's inside, how to store it, and where to buy.
A Hospira bacteriostatic water case is a bulk supply of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP — most commonly 25 vials, each holding 30 mL of sterile water preserved with 0.9% benzyl alcohol. Hospitals, clinics, and compounding pharmacies order the case format when they want a standing supply for reconstituting powdered medications. Hospira's product is labeled for prescription and institutional use in the United States, and it is not meant to be injected on its own.
What Hospira Bacteriostatic Water Actually Is
Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP is sterile water that contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, a preservative that suppresses bacterial growth inside the vial. That preservative is what makes the vial multiple-dose: a clinician can enter it more than once with aseptic technique without the contents spoiling right away.
Hospira, a Pfizer company, packages this product in 30 mL multiple-dose vials. The solution is clear and colorless, and it is intended as a diluent for reconstituting lyophilized drug powders rather than as a stand-alone injection.
- It is not Sterile Water for Injection. That product contains no preservative and is intended for single use.
- It is not saline. Sodium chloride 0.9% has different osmolarity and different clinical uses.
- It is not for newborns. Benzyl alcohol can cause serious reactions in neonates, so preservative-free diluents are used instead.
What Comes Inside a Hospira Bacteriostatic Water Case
A full case holds 25 vials, which is why the Hospira bacteriostatic water 25 pack is the configuration most medical distributors list. Total volume in a complete case is 750 mL of preserved water.
| Case detail | Typical Hospira specification |
|---|---|
| Vials per case | 25 |
| Volume per vial | 30 mL |
| Preservative | 0.9% benzyl alcohol |
| Total volume | 750 mL |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless solution |
| Storage | 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) |
| Labeling | Prescription / institutional use |
Vials ship in trays inside a case carton, and each vial carries its own lot number and expiration date. Check the date on the individual vial rather than the case label, because the labeled shelf life runs roughly two years from the date of manufacture.
Hospira 30 mL Vials vs. Smaller 10 mL Vials
Hospira's stock size is 30 mL, while many searches for bacteriostatic water 10ml point to other manufacturers or to smaller research-grade suppliers. Neither size is inherently better — the right choice depends on how much diluent you need per session and how quickly an opened vial gets used.
| Factor | 10 mL vial | 30 mL Hospira vial |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Small or occasional reconstitution | Frequent or higher-volume reconstitution |
| Withdrawals per vial | Fewer | More |
| Cost per mL | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Waste risk | Lower | Higher if used slowly |
| Common sourcing | Compounding pharmacies, research suppliers | Medical distributors, hospital supply |
If a vial is entered often, the 30 mL size usually costs less per milliliter, but that vial also stays in service longer. Smaller vials reduce waste when the product is used less frequently.
Where to Buy a Hospira Bacteriostatic Water Case in the US
Bacteriostatic Water for Injection is a prescription, institutional product in the United States, so it is not stocked as an ordinary consumer health item. People who search for bacteriostatic water cvs usually discover that retail pharmacy chains do not keep it on the shelf, though some locations can special-order it for a prescriber or a licensed facility.
Searches for bacteriostatic water near me mostly surface compounding pharmacies and local medical supply houses rather than big-box retailers. For a full case, the practical routes are licensed medical distributors, hospital supply channels, and compounding pharmacies — and a research-chemical seller is not the same thing as a licensed distributor of a USP-grade, FDA-registered drug.
Supply has also been uneven. Pfizer has reported backorder and shortage status for some Hospira injectable water products in recent years, so it is worth checking the FDA Drug Shortages database before placing a case order.
Storage and Handling Basics
- Store at controlled room temperature, roughly 20–25 °C (68–77 °F).
- Do not freeze the vials, and keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Do not use a vial if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
- Swab the stopper with alcohol and let it dry before each withdrawal.
- Discard the vial by its expiration date or sooner if contamination is suspected.
This article is informational only. For clinical questions about diluents, dosing, or storage, a pharmacist or another healthcare professional is the right source.
Peptide Reconstitution: A Common but Off-Label Use
A large share of consumer interest comes from people who search where to buy bacteriostatic water for peptides. Bacteriostatic water is a legitimate USP product, but using it to reconstitute unapproved peptides is not an FDA-approved use, and those peptides have not been reviewed for safety, sterility, or potency.
The benzyl alcohol preservative is also not appropriate for every drug or every route of administration. Some compounds degrade or precipitate in preserved water, and preservative-containing solutions are avoided for certain spinal and intravenous applications.
Anyone considering an injectable — approved or not — should talk with a licensed healthcare professional first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vials are in a Hospira bacteriostatic water case?
A standard Hospira case contains 25 vials, each holding 30 mL of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, for a total of 750 mL. Some distributors sell partial cases or single vials, so confirm the quantity on the product listing before ordering.
Can you buy Hospira bacteriostatic water at CVS or Walgreens?
Usually not. Bacteriostatic Water for Injection is a prescription, institutional product, and most retail pharmacies do not keep it in stock. Some chain pharmacies will special-order it for a prescriber or licensed facility, while compounding pharmacies and medical distributors are generally the more reliable source.
Is bacteriostatic water the same as sterile water?
No. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which allows multiple withdrawals from one vial, while Sterile Water for Injection has no preservative and is intended for single use. That preservative also means bacteriostatic water must not be used in newborns.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.