Preparing Drugs

Encourage people to:

• Use sterile cookers to prepare drugs.

• Add sterile water from a new unopened ampoule and use the blunt end of a sterile syringe to dissolve and mix the solution. Always heat drug solution to a boil. Allow to cool.

• Use a new filter when preparing drugs for injection. It filters out large particles from fillers and cutting agents. The filter can reduce the risk of them being injected into the bloodstream.

• Use a new sterile syringe and needle for every injection. This will minimize risk of infection.

• Avoid injecting multiple times using the same needle and syringe. Needles are sensitive and can become barbed or bent even after one injection. Barbed and bent needles can cause serious damage to the veins.

It is easy to introduce bacteria and other microorganisms to equipment. Not all drugs are prepared the same way. Know the safest practices for drug injection to reduce possible harms.

• Draw up the drug solution by gently laying the hole of the needle (bevel down) on the flat end of the filter.

Bevel Down

• Remove air bubbles from the drug solution in the syringe. Air bubbles injected into the bloodstream can cause a blockage of blood vessels, known as an air embolism. Point the syringe upwards and lightly tap the sides. This makes the air bubbles rise to the top. Push the plunger slowly to push the bubbles through the needle. Do this until no more air bubbles are in the syringe.