Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Sterile Water for Injections BP. The letters BP following the name signify that it complies with the British Pharmacopoeia, which is the official reference standard for medicines in Australia.
It does not contain all of the available information.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has ordered the use of Sterile Water for Injections for you in the knowledge that the benefits outweigh any possible risks. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If you have any concerns about receiving this medicine, ask your health care professional
What is Water for Injections used for?
Sterile Water for Injections is used for preparation of a medicine intended for injection or infusion by slow drip into a vein. It is only to be used for this purpose and should not be injected without the inclusion of medicine.
Before you are given Water for Injections
Water for Injections should not be given to you if:
- it has not been mixed with a medicine to a concentration to match that of blood
You must tell your doctor if you:
- have any other illness
- are taking any other medicines including anything that you bought without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop
- are allergic to any type of medication
- are pregnant
- are breast feeding
How Water for Injections is given
How much it is given:
Your doctor knows that Water for Injections alone should not be injected into your vein. Your health professionals know how much medicine should be added to Water for Injections before this solution is injected or dripped into your vein.
How it is given:
The medicine added to Water for Injections will usually be given at a slow rate of injection (drip), or as a small volume injection into a muscle by a health professional.
Usually, you will be visiting a doctor’s surgery, or staying in a health institution (hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc). Special medical equipment is used to deliver the medicine into your bloodstream. This delivery should be attended by a health professional. For an intravenous drip, a cannula (administration needle) is normally placed in a vein by your doctor or nurse.
In case of overdose
A doctor or nurse injecting you has had experience in the use of Water for Injections, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose.
While you are receiving a medicine mixed in Water for Injections
As injections and IV drips are normally given in a doctor’s surgery, clinic or hospital, your doctor or nurse will make appropriate records during your treatment and will note any unexpected effects you may experience.
Side effects
In case you experience side effects during or after the treatment with a medicine mixed in Water for Injections, it is most likely caused by the added medicines.Some swelling of the hands, ankles and feet may be experienced due to retention fluid in your body. In rare circumstances, this may also involve the lungs, which may cause some breathing difficulty. Inflammation at the site of injection, or swelling of your veins near the site of injection is also possible.
Product descriptions
What Water for Injections looks like?
It is sterile, clear, colourless water packaged in flexible Viaflex plastic bags. Added medicine/s may cause its appearance to change, resembling that of the added solutions.
What is in Water for Injections?
Water for Injections does not contain either active ingredient or antimicrobial agent. The composition of this product is water only. It is supplied in flexible Viaflex plastic bags as a single unit dose of 1000 mL.
How to store Water for Injections
Water for Injections should be stored below 30°C. Do not freeze. Do not expose to heat. Keep out of reach of children.
Where can you get more information?
You can obtain more information from your doctor or pharmacist.
Name and address of the manufacturer (sponsor)
Baxter Healthcare Pty. Ltd.,
1 Baxter Drive,
Old Toongabbie N.S.W., 2146 Australia
www.baxterhealthcare.com.au.
This Consumer Medical Information was prepared: 4th March 2002 and revised 23rd December 2002
88-19-01-098
Baxter and Viaflex are registered trademarks of Baxter International, Inc.
Published by MIMS June 2019