If it is broken, just make sure the rest of it is contained in an uncontaminated vial. Use an extra seringe to keep the rest of cerebrolysin... Place the seringe in a air tight ziploc bag.
Sunshinefrost,
It is not often that I find myself disagreeing with you, but this is one of those rare instances
It is crucial that individuals self-administering injections follow proper clinical protocol and take the necessary precautions so as to eliminate risk of PATHOGENIC INFECTION. It is quite simply not worth taking unecessary risks with your health. You can never be too cautious when it comes to self-administering injections; and as such, the words 'better safe than sorry' spring to mind.
RE:
"If it is broken, just make sure the rest of it is contained in an uncontaminated vial." - If a vial is in any way cracked or broken it is not fit for purpose due to possible PATHOGENIC CONTAMINATION as a consequence of the contents having been potentially exposed to the outside. Therefore, the entire vial and its complete contents should be disposed of.
RE: "Use an extra seringe to keep the rest of cerebrolysin..." - If one carries out this method in the proper manner, then yes, it is possible to safely store the rest of the cerebrolysin in a second syringe; however, one would need to follow proper protocol and take necessary precautions to avoid risk of PATHOGENIC CONTAMINATION / INFECTION. These are as follows:
1) Thoroughly wash and sterilise one's hands (such as scrubbing with alcohol rub);
2) Employ NON TOUCH POLICY in every regard, throughout, with regards to the respective sterile surfaces;
3) Swap over the needle used to draw the cerebrolysin into the second syringe with a fresh one which still has its needle cover in place and hence both needle and inside of needle cover are still 100% sterile. N.B. Ensure that the needle is firmly pressed onto the end of the syringe to avoid possible contamination through the joint (you may wish to consider sealing the joint with a sterile band-aid).
4) Then as you helpfully suggest, place the syringe (with attached needle and unremoved needle cap) into an
unused air tight sealable food bag (or similar)
5) Store in fridge; and use within 48 hours.
I should add that I am aware of numerous instances wherein individuals have incurred site infections following administering IM injections using syringes that have been used to store the partial contents of a vial of substance, without taking the proper precautions that I have outlined above. In one such instance, the individual subsequently developed SEPTICEMIA and nearly died as a result. Like I have already said, better safe than sorry!
Hmm.. Right.. totally obvious Alcohol swab ... why didnt i think of that???
Apologies in advance to any and all individuals who consider any of this 'obvious'. I would ask such individuals to respect that this information is for the benefit of those individuals who are less wise and educated in this regard
Edited by ScienceGuy, 18 August 2012 - 09:08 AM.