Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Water for Injections BP
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Water for injection may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for
Pregnancy, fertility
Water for Injections BP contains water that has been very carefully cleaned and purified so there are no chemicals, bacteria or moulds in it. It is used to:
- dissolve and dilute other medicines so that they can be given as an injection or an infusion (a drip) into your veins, muscles or other tissues in the body.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before receiving the medicine that is going to be dissolved or diluted with Water for Injections BP.
What you need to know before you take it
Water for Injections BP Do not use Water for Injections BP:
- as an injection or infusion on its own. It must only be used to dissolve or dilute necessary drugs to be administered by your doctor or nurse.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or nurse before receiving Water for Injections BP.
- Water for Injections BP should not be administered alone because it may cause damage to red blood cells (haemolysis).
Other medicines and Water for Injections BP Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines in addition to the medicine that is going to be dissolved or diluted with Water for Injections.
20 mm
breast-feeding
and
Driving and using machines Ask your doctor for advice before receiving the medicine that is going to be dissolved or diluted with Water for Injections.
How to take it
to you Your doctor or nurse will use the correct amount of Water for Injections BP to dissolve or dilute the medicine that you are receiving as an injection. Your doctor will decide the dose of your medicine that you should receive and how long you will need to take it for. The dose will depend on the other medicine which is being dissolved or diluted with Water for Injections BP.
If you receive more Water for Injections BP than you should Since the injection will be given to you by a doctor or nurse, it is unlikely that you will be given too much.
45 mm
75 mm
75 mm
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
75 mm
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause
Possible side effects
, although not everybody gets them. If given on its own, intravenous injection of Water for Injections BP may cause damage to red blood cells (haemolysis).
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse: This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Water for Injections BP Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Your injection will be stored at less than 25°C and protected from light. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Marketing Authorisation Holder hameln pharma ltd Nexus, Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester, GL3 4AG United Kingdom
Manufacturer Siegfried Hameln GmbH. Langes Feld 13 31789 Hameln Germany
75 mm
75 mm
The signs and symptoms of overdose will be related to those of the medicine which is being dissolved or diluted with Water for Injections. However, if you feel unwell afterwards or have any discomfort, tell your doctor or nurse.
hameln rds s.r.o. Horná 36 900 01 Modra Slovak Republic Bio Products Laboratory Limited Dagger Lane Elstree Hertfordshire WD6 3BX United Kingdom
For any information about this medicine, please contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder This leaflet was last revised in November 2022
6821/11/23
Contents of the pack and other information
What Water for Injections BP contains The active substance is Water for Injections. Each ml contains 100% Water for Injections Ph. Eur
What Water for Injections BP looks like and contents of the pack Water for Injections BP is supplied in 2, 5, 10 and 20 ml clear glass ampoules. 10 ampoules supplied in each carton. The injection is also supplied in 1, 2, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 ml and 200 ml vials with 1, 10 or 25 vials in each box. Not all sizes may be marketed.
20 mm
Frequently asked questions about Water for Injections BP
What is the active substance in Water for Injections BP?
The active substance in Water for Injections BP is water for injection.
Are there equivalent medicines to Water for Injections BP?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Water for Injections BP, solvent for parenteral use, Water for Injections Ph.Eur. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Water for Injections BP, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Water for Injections BP without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: water for injection
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Water for Injections BP is indicated to be used as a solvent for dilution and reconstitution of suitable medicinal products for parenteral administration.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
The dosage administered will be dictated by the nature of the additive used.
The administration rate will be dependent upon the dose regimen of the prescribed drug.
Following suitable admixture of prescribed additives, the dosage is usually dependent upon the age, weight and clinical condition of the patient as well as laboratory determinations. The solution should only be used if it is clear without visible particles.
Method of administration
For parenteral use.
The directions for use will be dependent upon the appropriate medicinal product to which this solvent is added, which will dictate the appropriate volumes as well as administration route.
4.3. Contraindications
Water for Injections should not be administered alone because it may cause haemolysis.
The contraindications related to the added medicinal product should be considered.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Water for Injections is hypotonic and should not be administered alone as it may cause hemolysis.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The possible clinical interactions between the different medicinal products to be dissolved should be considered.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
The risks during use are determined by the nature of the added medicinal products.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
May cause haemolysis if administered alone.
The nature of the additive will determine the likelihood of any other undesirable effects.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
No effects are anticipated if used as instructed.
Haemolysis may occur following infusion of large volumes of hypotonic solutions using water for injections as a diluent.
The signs and symptoms of overdose will also be related to the nature of the medicinal product being added. In the event of accidental overdose, the treatment should be discontinued and the patient should be observed for the appropriate signs and symptoms related to the medicinal product administered.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Water for Injections BP. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.