Description
Bacteriostatic Water (BAC Water) is a sterile, non-pyrogenic aqueous solution containing 0.9% (9 mg/mL) benzyl alcohol as an antimicrobial preservative. Benzyl alcohol works by disrupting the cell membranes of microorganisms, suppressing bacterial growth rather than eliminating existing organisms outright. That preservative effect is what allows a single multi-dose vial to be safely accessed multiple times under aseptic technique, with a recommended in-use window of up to 28 days from first puncture. The solution sits within a pH range of 4.5 to 7.0. In laboratory settings, it’s commonly used as a diluent for reconstituting lyophilised compounds, peptides, and proteins, though researchers should confirm compound compatibility with benzyl alcohol beforehand, since documented interactions exist with certain formulations.
For research use only. Not intended for use in humans or animals.
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=87d6e9dc-fe3b-4593-ac9a-d7493d1959c7
- Bis RL, et al. (2015). Role of benzyl alcohol in the unfolding and aggregation of interferon α-2a. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 104(2):407–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25100180/
- Akers MJ. (2002). Excipient-drug interactions in parenteral formulations. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 91(11):2344–2355. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12379918/
- Nair B. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 3):23–50. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11766131/





