Sterile water is a type of purified water that is used for medical purposes. It is similar to distilled water, but with one key difference: it is less pure because it contains inorganic substances. Sterile water is water of extra high quality without significant contamination, and a sterile version is used for making solutions that will be given by injection. Sterile Water for Injection, USP, is a sterile, nonpyrogenic preparation of water for injection which contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer and is supplied only in single-dose containers to dilute or dissolve drugs for injection. Sterile water is generally made by distillation or reverse osmosis.
Key points to note about sterile water include:
- Sterile water is used for fluid replacement only after suitable additives are introduced to approximate isotonicity and to serve as a vehicle for suitable medications.
- Sterile water is a hemolytic agent due to its hypotonicity, and therefore, it is contraindicated for intravenous administration without additives.
- Sterile Water for Irrigation contains water that is sterilized and packaged for use as an irrigant. No antimicrobial agent or other substance has been added. It is hypotonic with an osmolarity of zero mOsmol/L. It is intended for use as an irrigation fluid and not for intravenous administration or administration by other, parenteral routes (e.g., subcutaneous or intramuscular) .
In summary, sterile water is a type of purified water that is used for medical purposes, particularly for making solutions that will be given by injection. It is important to note that sterile water is a hemolytic agent due to its hypotonicity, and therefore, it is contraindicated for intravenous administration without additives.
