Bacteriostatic Water (bacteriostatic water for injection) is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol that is used to dilute or dissolve medications; the container can be reentered multiple times (usually by a sterile needle) and the benzyl alcohol suppresses or stops the growth of most potentially contaminating bacteria. Bacteriostatic Water is available generically and has the same name. The Bacteriostatic Water can be used in diluting drugs that can subsequently be administered by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection.
