Mixing Colistin

liz26ny · May 5, 2009

When I am taking inhaled Colistin, I mix immediately prior to nebulization...1 vial 150mg Colistin powder with 2mL sterile water. I had been using each vial of sterile water only once and then throwing the rest away (even though each vial from the CF Pharmacy contains 10mL and I am only using 2mL) because it seems to me that once the seal is broken that it can no longer be considered sterile. Last week I ran out of sterile water. When I called the CF Pharmacy, they told me I should be using each vial of sterile water more than once, as long as I am refrigerating between uses.

My local pharmacy agrees with me, and feels that once the seal is broken, the water is no longer sterile.

I just got off the phone with my CF Center, and they are saying I can re-use it within in the same day, as long as I wipe the service of the vial with alcohol before each use, and use a sterile syringe each time. They also contacted the CF Pharmacy to verify, and this time were told that is does not need to be refrigerated.

It just seems like I can't get a straight answer on this, and was wondering what everyone else does?

Thanks,
Liz

liz26ny · May 5, 2009

When I am taking inhaled Colistin, I mix immediately prior to nebulization...1 vial 150mg Colistin powder with 2mL sterile water. I had been using each vial of sterile water only once and then throwing the rest away (even though each vial from the CF Pharmacy contains 10mL and I am only using 2mL) because it seems to me that once the seal is broken that it can no longer be considered sterile. Last week I ran out of sterile water. When I called the CF Pharmacy, they told me I should be using each vial of sterile water more than once, as long as I am refrigerating between uses.

My local pharmacy agrees with me, and feels that once the seal is broken, the water is no longer sterile.

I just got off the phone with my CF Center, and they are saying I can re-use it within in the same day, as long as I wipe the service of the vial with alcohol before each use, and use a sterile syringe each time. They also contacted the CF Pharmacy to verify, and this time were told that is does not need to be refrigerated.

It just seems like I can't get a straight answer on this, and was wondering what everyone else does?

Thanks,
Liz

liz26ny · May 5, 2009

When I am taking inhaled Colistin, I mix immediately prior to nebulization...1 vial 150mg Colistin powder with 2mL sterile water. I had been using each vial of sterile water only once and then throwing the rest away (even though each vial from the CF Pharmacy contains 10mL and I am only using 2mL) because it seems to me that once the seal is broken that it can no longer be considered sterile. Last week I ran out of sterile water. When I called the CF Pharmacy, they told me I should be using each vial of sterile water more than once, as long as I am refrigerating between uses.

My local pharmacy agrees with me, and feels that once the seal is broken, the water is no longer sterile.

I just got off the phone with my CF Center, and they are saying I can re-use it within in the same day, as long as I wipe the service of the vial with alcohol before each use, and use a sterile syringe each time. They also contacted the CF Pharmacy to verify, and this time were told that is does not need to be refrigerated.

It just seems like I can't get a straight answer on this, and was wondering what everyone else does?

Thanks,
Liz

liz26ny · May 5, 2009

When I am taking inhaled Colistin, I mix immediately prior to nebulization...1 vial 150mg Colistin powder with 2mL sterile water. I had been using each vial of sterile water only once and then throwing the rest away (even though each vial from the CF Pharmacy contains 10mL and I am only using 2mL) because it seems to me that once the seal is broken that it can no longer be considered sterile. Last week I ran out of sterile water. When I called the CF Pharmacy, they told me I should be using each vial of sterile water more than once, as long as I am refrigerating between uses.

My local pharmacy agrees with me, and feels that once the seal is broken, the water is no longer sterile.

I just got off the phone with my CF Center, and they are saying I can re-use it within in the same day, as long as I wipe the service of the vial with alcohol before each use, and use a sterile syringe each time. They also contacted the CF Pharmacy to verify, and this time were told that is does not need to be refrigerated.

It just seems like I can't get a straight answer on this, and was wondering what everyone else does?

Thanks,
Liz

liz26ny · May 5, 2009

When I am taking inhaled Colistin, I mix immediately prior to nebulization...1 vial 150mg Colistin powder with 2mL sterile water. I had been using each vial of sterile water only once and then throwing the rest away (even though each vial from the CF Pharmacy contains 10mL and I am only using 2mL) because it seems to me that once the seal is broken that it can no longer be considered sterile. Last week I ran out of sterile water. When I called the CF Pharmacy, they told me I should be using each vial of sterile water more than once, as long as I am refrigerating between uses.
 
 My local pharmacy agrees with me, and feels that once the seal is broken, the water is no longer sterile.
 
 I just got off the phone with my CF Center, and they are saying I can re-use it within in the same day, as long as I wipe the service of the vial with alcohol before each use, and use a sterile syringe each time. They also contacted the CF Pharmacy to verify, and this time were told that is does not need to be refrigerated.
 
 It just seems like I can't get a straight answer on this, and was wondering what everyone else does?
 
 Thanks,
 Liz

kmaried · May 5, 2009

Hey Liz,

I re-use the sterile water, but use a new needle. I remember doing IVs before pre-filled syringes. We used to re-use those bottles and be injecting it! So I figure it's okay for this, too. Those bottles are so pressurized, I don't imagine much could get in there. I just use the bottle twice; so I go through one bottle of saline per day.

Hope that helps!,
Kris

kmaried · May 5, 2009

Hey Liz,

I re-use the sterile water, but use a new needle. I remember doing IVs before pre-filled syringes. We used to re-use those bottles and be injecting it! So I figure it's okay for this, too. Those bottles are so pressurized, I don't imagine much could get in there. I just use the bottle twice; so I go through one bottle of saline per day.

Hope that helps!,
Kris

kmaried · May 5, 2009

Hey Liz,

I re-use the sterile water, but use a new needle. I remember doing IVs before pre-filled syringes. We used to re-use those bottles and be injecting it! So I figure it's okay for this, too. Those bottles are so pressurized, I don't imagine much could get in there. I just use the bottle twice; so I go through one bottle of saline per day.

Hope that helps!,
Kris

kmaried · May 5, 2009

Hey Liz,

I re-use the sterile water, but use a new needle. I remember doing IVs before pre-filled syringes. We used to re-use those bottles and be injecting it! So I figure it's okay for this, too. Those bottles are so pressurized, I don't imagine much could get in there. I just use the bottle twice; so I go through one bottle of saline per day.

Hope that helps!,
Kris

kmaried · May 5, 2009

Hey Liz,
 
 I re-use the sterile water, but use a new needle. I remember doing IVs before pre-filled syringes. We used to re-use those bottles and be injecting it! So I figure it's okay for this, too. Those bottles are so pressurized, I don't imagine much could get in there. I just use the bottle twice; so I go through one bottle of saline per day.
 
 Hope that helps!,
 Kris

JazzysMom · May 5, 2009

I reused the jars of saline. I just wipe them with alcohol as your clinic said & use a new needle....

I couldnt imagine throwing all of that away. Holy crap. IMHO that is why that rubber seal to puncture is there, but ya still never know I guess.

JazzysMom · May 5, 2009

I reused the jars of saline. I just wipe them with alcohol as your clinic said & use a new needle....

I couldnt imagine throwing all of that away. Holy crap. IMHO that is why that rubber seal to puncture is there, but ya still never know I guess.

JazzysMom · May 5, 2009

I reused the jars of saline. I just wipe them with alcohol as your clinic said & use a new needle....

I couldnt imagine throwing all of that away. Holy crap. IMHO that is why that rubber seal to puncture is there, but ya still never know I guess.

JazzysMom · May 5, 2009

I reused the jars of saline. I just wipe them with alcohol as your clinic said & use a new needle....

I couldnt imagine throwing all of that away. Holy crap. IMHO that is why that rubber seal to puncture is there, but ya still never know I guess.

JazzysMom · May 5, 2009

I reused the jars of saline. I just wipe them with alcohol as your clinic said & use a new needle....
 
 I couldnt imagine throwing all of that away. Holy crap. IMHO that is why that rubber seal to puncture is there, but ya still never know I guess.

Tumbleweed · May 5, 2009