Hospira Bacteriostatic Water is one of the most recognised brand names in bacteriostatic water for injection, manufactured by Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company. This article covers what the product actually is, its official technical specifications and available vial sizes, and how it compares to other bacteriostatic water suppliers, including the research-use-only diluents sold on this site.
Editorial note: this is independent, informational content. Bacteriostatic Water Europe is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised distributor for Pfizer or Hospira, Inc. Nothing on this page is clinical, medical, or dosing guidance, and the research-use-only products referenced here are not for human or veterinary use, diagnostic use, or any form of consumption.
What Is Hospira Bacteriostatic Water?
Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP is a sterile, prescription-only pharmaceutical manufactured by Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company. It consists of water for injection preserved with benzyl alcohol, supplied in a multiple-dose vial so that a pharmacist or clinician can withdraw more than one dose from the same container using aseptic technique.
It’s labelled for intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous use as a diluent or solvent for reconstituting other injectable drugs, it is not a medicine in its own right, and it is not intended for direct fluid replacement therapy. It’s dispensed under prescription and used by, or under the direction of, a licensed healthcare professional.
You’ll also see the same product referred to simply as “Pfizer Bacteriostatic Water.” Hospira has been a wholly owned Pfizer subsidiary since 2015, and both names appear across packaging, distributor listings, and pharmacy catalogues for the same manufacturer.
Hospira, Inc. was spun off from Abbott Laboratories in May 2004 as a standalone company focused on generic injectable pharmaceuticals, by the time of its own acquisition, it was the world’s largest producer of generic injectables, headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. Pfizer completed its acquisition of Hospira in September 2015 for approximately $17 billion, folding its injectable manufacturing, including this product, into Pfizer’s own operations.
How Hospira Bacteriostatic Water Is Preserved
Benzyl alcohol is included specifically as a bacteriostatic preservative: it inhibits the growth of bacteria that could otherwise be introduced into the vial with each puncture, which is what allows a single vial to be withdrawn from more than once. On its own, benzyl alcohol does not sterilise contamination introduced by poor technique, which is why the product’s own labelling calls for aseptic technique on every withdrawal from what it describes as a multiple-dose container.
The labelling also carries a specific warning that the product must not be used in neonates, since benzyl alcohol has been associated with toxicity in newborns in historical case reports. That warning is specific to clinical administration, and it’s one of the reasons the product is prescription-only and used under professional supervision rather than sold for general use.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company |
| Formulation | Water for Injection, USP + benzyl alcohol preservative |
| Concentration (30 mL plastic vial) | 0.9% benzyl alcohol (9 mg/mL), NDC 0409-3977-03 |
| Concentration (20 mL fill, 30 mL glass vial) | 1.1% benzyl alcohol (11 mg/mL), NDC 0409-1093-04 |
| Container Type | Multiple-dose vial |
| Regulatory Status | Prescription only (Rx) |
| Route of Administration | Intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous (as a diluent) |
| Storage | 20–25°C (68–77°F), controlled room temperature |
Specifications sourced from Hospira/Pfizer’s own prescribing information, see Scientific References below.
Available Vial Sizes
At Bacteriostatic Water Europe Hospira is currently available in three vial formats:
Is Hospira Bacteriostatic Water Available in the UK?
Yes. Hospira Bacteriostatic Water is available to customers in the UK through Bacteriostatic Water Europe. While the US-market Hospira products described above are associated with US-specific NDC codes and are generally distributed through US healthcare and pharmacy supply channels, UK customers can purchase Hospira Bacteriostatic Water through our online store.
Hospira is a well-established pharmaceutical manufacturer, and its bacteriostatic water products are supplied in sterile, multi-dose formats containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The preservative helps inhibit microbial growth after the vial has been opened, which is one of the key characteristics that distinguishes bacteriostatic water from sterile water products without an antimicrobial preservative.
For customers in the UK, ordering through a specialist supplier can also provide a more straightforward way to identify the specific Hospira product and vial format they are looking for rather than relying on availability through local pharmacy stock. Product availability, delivery times, and applicable shipping conditions may vary depending on the destination and current stock.
Bacteriostatic Water Europe supplies these products for research use only. They are not intended for human or veterinary administration, and customers should always follow the product documentation and applicable regulations for their intended research application.
Research & Laboratory Use Context
Because “Hospira” and “Pfizer” are recognisable, trusted pharmaceutical names, these brand terms are often searched by people working in laboratory or research settings who are trying to understand what the product is, and whether it’s the right choice for non-clinical work. It’s worth being direct about this: Hospira Bacteriostatic Water is manufactured, labelled, and regulated as a prescription pharmaceutical for clinical diluent use. It is not manufactured or labelled for laboratory or research use.
For laboratory and research applications, for example, reconstituting a lyophilised research compound ahead of in-vitro study, a dedicated research-use-only (RUO) bacteriostatic water, manufactured and labelled specifically for that purpose, is the appropriate product category. Our own 30ml bacteriostatic water falls into that category. RUO products and prescription pharmaceuticals are not interchangeable, and neither is intended for human dosing, treatment, or consumption outside the specific regulatory context each is actually labelled for.
How It Compares to Other Suppliers
| Product Category | Example | Regulatory Status | Intended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospira / Pfizer bacteriostatic water | Hospira, Inc. | Rx-only pharmaceutical | Clinical diluent, professional supervision |
| Other pharmaceutical-grade bacteriostatic water | Various licensed Rx manufacturers | Rx-only pharmaceutical | Clinical diluent, professional supervision |
| Research-use-only (RUO) bacteriostatic water | Dedicated research suppliers, incl. our own range | Not a licensed medicine (RUO) | Laboratory / research reconstitution only |
The practical difference here isn’t really about brand reputation, Hospira, other Rx manufacturers, and RUO suppliers can all meet the same USP-style benzyl alcohol and water-for-injection specification. What actually matters is regulatory category and intended use: Rx products, including Hospira’s, are pharmaceuticals meant for clinical administration under a prescription, while RUO products are manufactured and sold specifically for laboratory research and are not medicines. Which one is relevant to you depends entirely on what the product is actually being used for, not on brand name alone.
Handling & Storage Considerations
Whichever category of bacteriostatic water you’re working with, the same general handling principles apply: store unopened vials at controlled room temperature (20–25°C / 68–77°F), keep the vial’s seal intact until first use, use aseptic technique for every withdrawal, and don’t use a vial if the solution appears cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particulate. Hospira’s own labelling specifies a defined in-use period once a vial is first punctured. Always follow the storage and in-use guidance on the specific product and lot in front of you rather than assuming it’s identical across brands or formulations.
Conclusion: Looking for Bacteriostatic Water for Research Use?
Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP is a well-established bacteriostatic water product manufactured by Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company. The product is supplied in multiple-dose vial formats and contains benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative.
If you are looking for Hospira Bacteriostatic Water for research purposes, Bacteriostatic Water Europe provides access to the product for customers in the UK and Europe. Explore the available Hospira Bacteriostatic Water range to find the option that fits your research requirements.
This article is independent, informational content and is not affiliated with Pfizer or Hospira, Inc. Nothing in this article constitutes clinical, medical, or dosing guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hospira Bacteriostatic Water the same as Pfizer Bacteriostatic Water?
Yes. Hospira, Inc. has been a wholly owned Pfizer company since 2015, so “Hospira” and “Pfizer” bacteriostatic water refer to the same manufacturer, you may see either name depending on the packaging or listing.
What sizes does Hospira Bacteriostatic Water come in?
Two current formulations: a 30 mL plastic vial with 0.9% benzyl alcohol (9 mg/mL), and a 20 mL fill in a 30 mL glass vial with 1.1% benzyl alcohol (11 mg/mL). Both are supplied in trays of 25.
Can I buy Hospira Bacteriostatic Water without a prescription?
No. It’s an Rx-only pharmaceutical intended for use by, or under the supervision of, a licensed healthcare professional as a diluent for reconstituting other injectable medicines. It is not sold over the counter or for personal or research use.
Can I buy Hospira Bacteriostatic Water in the UK?
Not in the exact US-branded 30 mL or 20 mL vial format sold under Hospira’s US NDC codes, that’s a US product. Pfizer holds a separate UK marketing authorisation for a differently formatted “Bacteriostatic Water for Injections” product (a 1 mL pre-filled syringe licensed for specific alprostadil formulations), which is also prescription only. For UK laboratory or research use, a dedicated research-use-only bacteriostatic water is the relevant product.
Can Hospira Bacteriostatic Water be used for laboratory or research purposes?
It’s manufactured and labelled as a prescription drug for clinical diluent use, not for laboratory or research applications. A dedicated research-use-only bacteriostatic water, made specifically for lab settings, is the appropriate product for that context.
Has Hospira Bacteriostatic Water ever been recalled?
Yes, on 6 September 2019, Hospira (Pfizer) issued a voluntary nationwide recall of a single lot (W20308) due to a lack of confirmed sterilisation assurance for some vials. This was specific to that one lot rather than an ongoing issue; you can check current recall status on the FDA’s recall database or with your supplying pharmacy.
Why does Hospira Bacteriostatic Water contain benzyl alcohol?
Benzyl alcohol is the bacteriostatic preservative that allows the multiple-dose vial to be safely punctured and withdrawn from more than once, by inhibiting bacterial growth between uses.
What’s the difference between the 0.9% and 1.1% benzyl alcohol formulations?
The concentration differs by packaging format, the 30 mL plastic vial is formulated at 0.9% (9 mg/mL), while the 20 mL fill in a 30 mL glass vial is formulated at 1.1% (11 mg/mL). Always check the NDC and label on your specific vial.
How should Hospira Bacteriostatic Water be stored?
At controlled room temperature, 20–25°C (68–77°F), with the vial seal intact until first use, and aseptic technique used for every subsequent withdrawal.
Scientific References
- Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, full prescribing information. Pfizer / Hospira, Inc. https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=4666
- Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, product label listing. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=87d6e9dc-fe3b-4593-ac9a-d7493d1959c7
- Hospira, Inc. Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, due to a Potential Lack of Sterility Assurance (6 September 2019). U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hospira-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-one-lot-bacteriostatic-water-injection-usp-due
- Bacteriostatic Water for Injections, Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), Pfizer Limited (UK marketing authorisation holder). electronic medicines compendium (emc), UK. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6655/smpc
- Pfizer Completes Acquisition of Hospira (September 2015). Pfizer Inc. press release. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-completes-acquisition-hospira