Pharmaceutical Vials and Injection Techniques

Glass containers sealed by fusing the glass top, creating a closed system that protects the drug from the environment.

Breaking the top of an ampule exposes the drug to the environment.

Glass particles from breaking the ampule must be removed before using the drug.

A sterile needle with a built-in filter, used to remove glass particles from ampule contents.

To remove air bubbles from a syringe, gently tap the side of the syringe with your knuckles.

Single-use containers for parenteral drugs, offering hermetic sealing to protect the drug product.

Broken glass requires filtration, and only one use is possible.

The process of drawing up drug solution from an ampule using a syringe and filter needle.

Drug delivery systems that use a reusable injection device with a pre-filled cartridge, delivering a pre-measured dose upon pushing a button or applying pressure.

Pen injectors are similar to cartridge systems, but they are designed to automatically administer the drug dose upon depression of a trigger.

Auto-injectors are a type of pen injector that delivers the drug dose automatically when the device is pressed against the skin.

Needle-free injectors use high pressure to deliver liquid or powder drugs into the skin, subcutaneous layer, or muscle.

Systems for rapid preparation of drug products that use a quick-connect mechanism or pre-mixed products.

Separate vial containing the drug and a bag containing the diluent (infusion solution) that are connected for quick preparation.

A bag containing a pre-mixed drug solution, ready for immediate infusion.

Double-chamber IV bags where the drug and diluent are separated until just before preparation.

Glass or plastic containers with a rubber closure allowing for repeated penetration without compromising the sealed system. They are hermetically sealed to prevent contamination from the environment and/or atmosphere.

Vials and bottles use a rubber stopper that needs to be pierced with a needle. Before withdrawing liquid, inject a small amount of air to prevent a vacuum. When adding liquid, release the same amount of air to avoid over-pressurizing the vial.

Flexible plastic containers with a rubber port for repeated penetration. They usually have a second port for connecting administration tubing.

Vials and bottles can sometimes have a larger volume than the labeled amount to ensure the desired amount can be withdrawn. This is a common practice in sterile preparation.

Vials and bottles are considered multi-use, allowing for repeated access without breaking the seal. However, they are non-vented, meaning they require pressure equilibration.

Infusion bags are flexible and adaptable. They can be squeezed or molded to fit into different spaces. However, the plastic material can interact with the drug, affecting its stability and effectiveness.

Before using vials and bottles, all rubber closures should be meticulously disinfected using a sterile 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) swab and allowed to dry completely.

When inserting a needle into a vial septum, use a slight added pressure but insert the needle bevel up. This helps minimize the risk of damaging the septum.

Resistance to bending, denting, or breaking upon impact.

Substances released from plastic packaging into the drug product, potentially affecting its quality or safety.

The amount of water vapor or gases that can pass through a plastic material.

A type of stress cracking that occurs in plastics due to exposure to specific chemicals like surfactants or oils.

A type of surface cracking that forms a fine network of lines on the plastic surface.

The ability to form a seal that prevents the entry of air or moisture. Important for maintaining the sterility of pharmaceutical products.

The process of adding substances to plastics to improve their properties like flexibility, stability, or color.

A process used in the production of rubber where heat and pressure are applied to mold and solidify a mixture.

Syringes are frequently used to measure small volumes of medication. Select a syringe size as close as possible to the volume being measured. Do not use 80% of the syringe's maximum volume, especially for hazardous substances.

Syringes are used for individual doses but not for long-term storage of drug products. Drug stability and interactions with syringe components can be issues.

Certain drugs can be affected by the components of rubber stoppers used in vials. These drugs may interact with the stopper materials, leading to changes in their stability or effectiveness.

Needle size is indicated by gauge (diameter) and length. Larger gauge = smaller diameter. Appropriate needle selection depends on injection site, compounding, and drug stability.

The appropriate needle gauge and length depend on the route of administration (IV, IM, SQ, ID).

Larger-gauge needles are used for compounding to minimize damage to rubber closures (e.g., vials).

Some needles contain tungsten, which can affect the stability of certain drugs, such as epoetin.

Individual doses should be prepared using appropriate compounding devices such as syringes, needles, mixing containers, and minibags.

A material used in the manufacture of rubber closures that, when mixed with other ingredients, creates the desired properties such as hardness, elasticity, and resistance to vapor transfer.

This process involves the creation of cross-links within the rubber polymer chains. It helps to solidify the rubber's structure and provides the desired shape and resistance.

These chemicals are added during the vulcanization process to speed up the cross-linking reaction, resulting in faster curing times and a smoother rubber texture.

These substances work in conjunction with accelerators to enhance their effectiveness, ensuring a complete and efficient vulcanization process.

These compounds are incorporated into the rubber formulation to protect it from degradation caused by factors like oxidation. They help extend the shelf life and prevent the rubber from becoming brittle.

These substances make the rubber mixture easier to mold and shape, allowing for precise manufacturing of closures. They help in achieving the desired size, shape, and flexibility of the final product.

These additives are used to modify the hardness of the rubber, adjusting it for different applications and requirements. They provide the desired level of firmness or flexibility.

These are added to give the closures a specific color, which might be important for identification or branding purposes. They are often added to improve the visual appeal of the product.