Reconstitution of Powdered Drugs Chapter 10 Reconstitution of Powdered Drugs

Reconstitution Directions On vial, labels may be small and difficult to read. Extreme care in reading them is essential.

Purpose Drugs in powder form retain potency for only short time once reconstituted. For example, ampicillin

Drug Volume After Reconstitution Reconstituted volumes do not always exactly equal amount of diluent because medication itself has volume. Makes total volume larger than amount of diluent injected into vial.

Reconstituting a Drug The person who reconstitutes a drug is responsible for labeling it with the date and time of expiration, and must initial it.

Reconstitution: Step 1 Locate directions on label, package insert, or current parenteral medication reference.

Diluent Information Type of diluent varies for different drugs. Sterile water used most frequently for parenteral drug reconstitution Volume of diluent varies for different drugs. (continues)

Diluent Information (cont’d) If directions given for both IM and IV reconstitution, be careful to read correct set for solution being prepared.

Reconstitution: Step 2 Once diluent identified, use sterile syringe and aseptic technique to draw up volume of diluent required for reconstitution of specific medication.

Vial Pressure If powdered medication in vial, syringe plunger forced out to expel air. Re-equalizes internal vial pressure as diluent injected

Reconstitution: Step 3 After diluent injected, rotate and up end vial until all medication dissolved. Most parenteral medications should not be shaken to dissolve powder.

Reconstitution: Step 4 After reconstitution, locate information that notes how long reconstituted medication can be stored.

Reconstitution: Step 5 Document the following items: Initials of person reconstituting medication Reconstitution date and time Expiration date and time

Reconstitution Information If all information needed for reconstitution not on medication vial label, obtain from one of the following locations: Medication package insert Current and reliable medication reference Facility pharmacy

Multiple Strength Solutions Some powdered medications offer choice of dosage strengths. Reconstituted strength must be added to label information.