Hospira Bacteriostatic Water: Label Facts and Vial Sizes
Hospira, part of Pfizer, makes the best-known licensed bacteriostatic water in the US. These are the facts from its official label, with nothing added.
By Morry Mason · Updated · How we checkWe may earn a commission from some links on this page. Disclosure
Hospira bacteriostatic water is labeled Rx only. Its label lists 30 mL vials with 0.9% (9 mg/mL) benzyl alcohol, and a 20 mL fill with 1.1% (11 mg/mL). It is stored at 20 to 25°C. Source: the bacteriostatic water label (Hospira) on DailyMed, checked 5 Nov 2026.
Label facts at a glance
| Container | Benzyl alcohol | NDC (single) | NDC (tray) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mL plastic Fliptop vial | 0.9% (9 mg/mL) | 0409-3977-01 | 0409-3977-03 (tray of 25) |
| 20 mL fill in a 30 mL glass vial | 1.1% (11 mg/mL) | 0409-1093-14 | 0409-1093-04 (tray of 25) |
- Status: Rx only, printed on the package panels.
- Storage: Store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F).
- Label revision: 08/2019. DailyMed showed the listing as updated in 2026.
- Repeat entry: the label covers single or repeat entry with aseptic technique. It does not state a discard period in days.
Is it available?
Pfizer's hospital product page listed the 30 mL plastic Fliptop vial as Available on 5 Nov 2026 (Pfizer Hospital US product page). The FDA drug shortages list showed sterile water products in shortage. We did not find bacteriostatic water named on the part of the list we read.
Other licensed makers
A DailyMed search showed one other original labeler, Fujian Genohope Biotech, with a 30 mL vial (bacteriostatic water label (Fujian Genohope Biotech) on DailyMed). Several distributors relabel the Hospira 30 mL vial. We did not find a licensed 10 mL bacteriostatic water vial on DailyMed.
How research-supply bac water differs
Research suppliers sell bac water for laboratory use, often in 10 mL vials. It is not the Hospira product. PSPeptides, for example, sells 10 mL vials with 0.9% benzyl alcohol and publishes an ILS Laboratories lot report. Compare sizes on the sizes page.
The 28-day question
We did not find a 28-day discard period on the Hospira label. The figure comes from CDC guidance for multi-use vials, which says vials should be "dated and discarded within 28 days unless the manufacturer states another date." More on our storage page.
Quick answers
Is Hospira bacteriostatic water prescription only?
Yes. The official Hospira label on DailyMed is marked Rx only on its package panels.
What sizes does Hospira make?
The label lists a 30 mL plastic Fliptop vial with 0.9% benzyl alcohol and a 20 mL fill in a 30 mL glass vial with 1.1% benzyl alcohol, each also in trays of 25.
Does the Hospira label say to discard after 28 days?
No. We did not find a 28-day period on the label. The 28-day figure comes from CDC guidance for multi-use vials, which applies unless the maker states another date.
Is Hospira bacteriostatic water in shortage?
Pfizer's hospital product page listed the 30 mL vial as Available on 5 Nov 2026. We did not find bacteriostatic water named on the part of the FDA shortage list we read.
Sources
- bacteriostatic water label (Hospira) on DailyMed, checked Nov 5, 2026
- Pfizer Hospital US product page, checked Nov 5, 2026
- FDA drug shortages list, checked Nov 5, 2026
- bacteriostatic water label (Fujian Genohope Biotech) on DailyMed, checked Nov 5, 2026
- CDC clinical safety guidance for multi-use vials (cdc.gov), checked Nov 5, 2026
- pspeptides.com product page, checked Nov 5, 2026
Research suppliers list 10 mL and 30 mL vials from $0.50 to $1.60 per mL.
Compare price per mLOur pick
PSPeptides 10 mL, with a lot report covering sterility, endotoxin and a fentanyl screen.
View on PSPeptides