Is Sterile Water Injection (Bacteriostatic Water) in shortage?
Yes. Sterile Water Injection is on FDA’s drug shortage list (unavailable), last updated Oct 6, 2026.
Why it’s in shortage
- Demand increase for the drug
- Other
Every listed package
FDA tracks shortages per package. What each maker reports, most recently updated first:
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1000 mL/1000 mL (NDC 63323-178-76)
Check wholesalers for inventory
Maker contact: 888-386-1300
- Sterile Water For Injection In Plastic Container, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 63323-185-20)
Check wholesalers for inventory
Maker contact: 888-386-1300
- Sterile Water For Injection In Plastic Container, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 63323-185-50)
Check wholesalers for inventory
Maker contact: 888-386-1300
- Bacteriostatic Water For Injection In Plastic Container, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0409-3977-03)
Maker contact: 844-646-4398
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0409-4887-10)
Maker contact: 844-646-4398
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0409-4887-20)
Maker contact: 844-646-4398
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0409-4887-50)
Maker contact: 844-646-4398
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0409-4887-99)
Maker contact: 844-646-4398
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0641-6147-10)
Additional lots will be scheduled for manufacturing. Product will be made available as it is released.
Maker contact: 800-631-2174
- Sterile Water For Injection In Plastic Container, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 63323-185-10)
Next release September 2026. Check wholesalers for inventory.
Maker contact: 888-386-1300
- Sterile Water, Injection, 10 mL/10 mL (NDC 64253-020-30)
Maker contact: 630-682-4600
- Sterile Water, Injection, 1 mL/1 mL (NDC 0487-6105-01)
Small amount of inventory available with 12/31/2026 dating
Maker contact: 800-443-4313
FDA recalls of Water
Recalls can cause or worsen a shortage. These FDA drug recalls share an active ingredient with Sterile Water Injection:
- B BRAUN MEDICAL INC recalls Sterile Water for Injection USP, 3000 mL bags, Rx only, Pharmacy Bulk Package, B. Braun Medical Inc., Bethlehem, PA
- Baxter Healthcare Corporation recalls Sterile Water for Irrigation, 250 mL, Single-Dose Plastic Bottle, Rx Only, Baxter Healthcare Corporation Deerfield, IL
- B BRAUN MEDICAL INC recalls STERILE WATER FOR INJECTION USP, 3000mL, Rx only, B. Braun Medical Inc., Bethlehem. PA 18018, NDC 0264-7385-60.
- HONEYWELL INC recalls Eyesaline, Saline Eyewash Solution, Cartridge for Fendall 2000, Net contents: 7.9 gal per cartridge, Sperian Eye & Face
- Nephron Sc Inc recalls Sterile Water for Injection, USP, 30x5 mL Single-Dose Vials, Rx Only, Nephron 4500 12th Street Extension West Columbia,
- Nephron Sc Inc recalls Sterile Water for Injection, USP, For Drug Diluent Use Only, 5 mL Single-Dose Vial, packaged in 30 x 5 mL Single-Dose
- Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office recalls Sterile Water for Injection USP, 2000 mL, Rx only, Baxter Healthcare Corp., NDC 0338-0013-06
- Pfizer Inc. recalls Sterile Water for Inj., USP, 25 x 100 mL Single Dose Vials per carton, Rx only, For Drug Diluent Use Only, Distributed
- Novo Nordisk Inc recalls NovoLog (Insulin aspart) Injection, 100 units/mL (U-100), One 10 mL multi-dose vial, Sample. Not for Resale, Rx Only,
- Novo Nordisk Inc recalls NovoLog FlexPen (insulin aspart) Injection, 100 units/mL, 3 mL Prefilled Insulin Syringe pen, Sample. Not for Resale,
- Pfizer Inc. recalls Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, 30 mL vials, Rx only, Mfd. for: Hospira, Inc., Lake Forest, IL 60045 USA. NDC
Other forms on FDA’s list
Sterile Water Injection shortage questions
Is Sterile Water Injection (Bacteriostatic Water) in shortage?
Yes. Sterile Water Injection is on FDA’s drug shortage list (unavailable), last updated Oct 6, 2026.
Why is there a Sterile Water Injection shortage?
FDA records the reason as: Demand increase for the drug; Other.
What should I do if I can’t get Sterile Water Injection?
Don’t stop or ration it on your own. Ask your pharmacist whether another strength, package size or maker is in stock, and ask your prescriber about an alternative if none is.
Source: FDA Drug Shortages Database via openFDA. FDA notes that openFDA data is unvalidated and should not be used to make decisions about medical care; ask your pharmacist or prescriber before changing any medication. FDA Drug Shortages Database.