What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Water for Injections/Irrigation. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using Water for Injections/Irrigation in your treatment.
If you have any concerns about being given Water for Injections/Irrigation, ask your doctor or your healthcare professional.
Keep this leaflet in a safe place.
You may need to read it again.
What Water for Injections/Irrigation is used for
Water for Injections/Irrigation is sterile water used to dissolve or dilute other medicines before they are given to you.
Water for Injections/Irrigation can also be used as a sterile washing solution.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Water for Injections/Irrigation has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Before you are given Water for Injections/Irrigation
When it must not be given
Water for Injections/Irrigation should be used to dissolve or dilute other agents or used as a sterile washing solution. It should not be injected directly into the body.
Water for Injections/Irrigation should not be used if the solution is discoloured, cloudy, turbid, or particles are present.
The solution is normally a clear, colourless liquid.
Water for Injections/Irrigation should not be used if, when diluted with another solution, it causes the solution to precipitate, become cloudy, turbid, discolour, or form visible particles.
The doctor or nurse will check to ensure Water for Injections/Irrigation is not past its expiry date and has not been tampered with.
If you are not sure whether you should be given Water for Injections/Irrigation, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket, health food shop, naturopath or herbalist.
Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with, or avoid, while Water for Injections/Irrigation is being used.
How Water for Injections/Irrigation is used
Water for Injections/Irrigation must only be given by a doctor or a healthcare professional.
How it is given
Water for Injections/Irrigation is used to dissolve or dilute other medicines which may then be injected either into a vein, into a muscle or under the skin.
This will be done by your doctor or healthcare professional.
Water for Irrigation is also used as a sterile washing solution, so there is no dosage limitation with this product as normally applied to other medicines.
Your health professionals know how much washing solution should be used for your treatment.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Water for Injections/Irrigation must only be given by a doctor or a healthcare professional so an overdose is not likely to occur.
Water for Injections/Irrigation should be used to dissolve or dilute other agents or used as a sterile washing solution. It should not be injected directly into the body. If large volumes of Water for Injections/Irrigation are injected directly into the body the following symptoms may occur:
- red, red-brown, or brownish urine
- tiredness, pale skin
- a decrease in the amount of urine produced
- pain or redness at the injection site.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Water for Injections/Irrigation.
Water for Injections/Irrigation should not cause any side effects if it is used to dissolve or dilute medicines for injection or for sterile washing.
After being given Water for Injections/Irrigation
Storage
Water for Injections/Irrigation will be stored in the surgery, pharmacy or ward of a hospital. The injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Water for Injections/Irrigation will only be opened when it is time for it to be used for you.
Product description
What it looks like
Water for Injections/Irrigation is a clear, colourless solution in a clear glass vial with a plastic top.
Water for Injections is available in a 50mL vial.
Water for Injections/Irrigation is available in a 100mL vial.
Ingredients
Water for Injections/Irrigation contains sterile water only.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine, alcohol, dyes or preservatives.
Manufacturer
Water for Injections/Irrigation is made in Australia by:
Phebra Pty Ltd
19 Orion Road
Lane Cove West, NSW 2066
Australia
Water for Injections BP 50 mL vial
AUST R 48353
Phebra product code: INJ075
This product is currently not available.
Water for Injections/Irrigation BP 100mL vial
AUST R 48354
Phebra product code: INJ077
This leaflet was revised:
March 2014
Version 02