Bacteriostatic Water Storage & Shelf Life

Sealed vs. opened: two different clocks

There are two separate timelines to track, and confusing them is the most common storage mistake:

• Sealed (unopened): good until the printed expiry date. Stored properly, a sealed vial commonly carries a shelf life measured in years.
• Opened (first needle entry): the 28-day in-use window begins. The preservative supports repeated entry for up to 28 days; after that, discard any remaining contents regardless of the printed expiry.

How to store it

Storage is straightforward:

• Temperature: controlled room temperature. Refrigeration is not required and freezing should be avoided.
• Light: keep vials in their packaging, away from direct light.
• Position: upright, with the stopper clean and intact.
• Date it: when you first enter a multi-dose vial, write the date on the label so the 28-day window is unambiguous.

Handling for repeated entry

The 28-day window assumes good aseptic technique. Each time the vial is entered, wipe the stopper with an alcohol prep, use a fresh sterile needle, and avoid touching the stopper surface. The preservative suppresses bacterial growth — it does not compensate for an obviously contaminated entry. Always defer to your laboratory’s standard operating procedure.

When to discard

Discard a vial if any of the following are true:

• It is past the 28-day in-use window after first entry.
• It is past the printed expiry date.
• The contents are cloudy, discoloured, or contain visible particulates.
• The stopper or seal integrity is in any doubt.

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