Bacteriostatic Water(Benz Alc) Coupons & Prices

Looking for a bacteriostatic water for injection (with benzyl alcohol) coupon? Rx.com compares cash prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find a low price near you on this common sterile diluent. Bacteriostatic water is an inexpensive generic pharmacy aid used to dilute or dissolve certain injectable medications, but the cash price can still vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and print or show a free coupon at the counter.

What is bacteriostatic water (with benzyl alcohol) and how is it used?

Bacteriostatic water for injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic water that contains 0.9%-1.1% (9-11 mg/mL) benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative. That preservative is what makes it different from plain sterile water: it lets the vial be used for repeated withdrawals. It is supplied in multiple-dose vials and is indicated only for diluting or dissolving drugs for intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection, following the instructions of the manufacturer of the drug being given.

In everyday practice it is often used in outpatient and self-injection settings to reconstitute (mix) peptide, hormone, and other lyophilized (freeze-dried) injectable medications before use. It is a mixing solution, not a medicine on its own, and it must never be injected undiluted because it is hypotonic. This is general information, not medical advice, so always follow the directions from your prescriber and the drug you are mixing.

Cost without insurance and how to save

Bacteriostatic water is an inexpensive generic pharmacy item, and a generic version is widely available. Even so, the cash price without insurance can differ widely from pharmacy to pharmacy, which is exactly why comparing before you buy matters. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can spot a low cash price in your area rather than paying whatever the first pharmacy happens to charge.

To see current pricing, enter your ZIP code above. You will get a free Rx.com coupon you can show at the pharmacy for the cash price. There is no manufacturer savings card for this product, so cash-price comparison is the practical way to keep the cost down. Coupon prices are for the cash-pay price and are not insurance.

Related products and alternatives

The right diluent depends on the drug you are mixing and its manufacturer's instructions, so check the package insert before choosing. Common related sterile solutions include:

• Sterile water for injection — a preservative-free water used when a preservative is not wanted, such as in newborns.
• Sodium chloride injection — a saline diluent used for many medications.
• HCG — one example of a lyophilized injectable that is reconstituted before use.

Never substitute one diluent for another on your own; the correct solution is set by the medication being administered.

Important safety information

The most important warning: bacteriostatic water with benzyl alcohol is not for use in newborns (neonates). Benzyl alcohol has been linked to a fatal "gasping syndrome" in newborns, so only preservative-free sterile water for injection should be used in that group. It also must not be used for fluid replacement or volume expansion, and not for epidural or spinal anesthesia.

Do not inject it undiluted, because it is hypotonic; an appropriate solute must be added first. Use with caution during pregnancy and in anyone with a known benzyl alcohol hypersensitivity. Use aseptic technique and discard any unused portion. This is a summary, not a complete list of precautions, and it is not medical advice, so talk with your provider or pharmacist about your specific situation.