1. Practicum in Health Science
Reconstitution
Practicum in Health Science

2. Key Definitions
Reconstitute: to change into liquid form by adding water or other fluid to a powder.
Diluent: the liquid added to a powder during reconstitution.

3. Reconstitution Basics
Solids – powders or crystals
Liquids – water or sterile solutions
Necessary for medications which are unstable
Done according to:
Physical properties of drug
Route of administration
Concentration may vary

4. Reconstitution Solids and Diluents
Single or multidose containers
Diluents
Oral medications – distilled water only
Injectable medications – sterile solutions that vary with the drug
Mix-O-Vial
Diluent packaged with drug (ex. Immunizations)

5. Reconstitution at Different Strengths
Single-strength, single-dose
Use diluent amount on label
Multidose
Use label to adjust the diluent amount
Choose amount closest to achieving physician’s ordered strength

6. Reconstitution for Different Administration Routes
Intramuscular and intravenous medications can differ
Intramuscular drugs may require a variety of diluents – especially if injection is long-acting
Some medications can only be administered by one route
Some medications with interchangeable routes require different amounts of diluents

7. Equipment needed for Reconstitution
Graduated cylinder or similar product
Reconstitube ® - a modified graduated cylinder with two tubes attached. The upper tube connects the cylinder to a supply of water or other liquid, and the lower tube, which is open ended, enters the medication bottle.

8. Reconstitution Procedure
Tap the container to loosen the solid in the container
Read all directions on the medication label
Use the manufacturer-designated diluent in the amount needed to achieve the physician-ordered medication concentration.
**TIP ** Only add one-third portion of the diluent to the medication bottle at first, allowing the powder to dissolve gradually into the diluent. If you add all liquid at once, medication powder will likely stick to the bottom of the medication bottle and resist dilution.
Following reconstitution, container is ready for the attachment of the prescription label. Don’t forget to affix any appropriate auxiliary labels.

9. Original Product Package Label Sample: for reconstitution to liquid

10. Check for Understanding
1. If a Reconstitube® is unavailable, what other compounding equipment would be appropriate to use for measuring the diluent?
a. Mortar & pestle c. Graduated cylinder
b. Amber bottle d. Oral syringe
Referring to the previous sample label, once the diluent has been added to the powder medication, what is the final concentration in milligrams per milliliter?
a. 25 mg/ml c mg/ml
b. 50 mg/ml d mg/ml

11. Check for understanding
Based on the concentration that was determined in question 2, how much of this medication would be needed for a 125 mg dose?
a. 2 ml c. 5 ml
b. 3 ml d. 10 ml
If the physician orders “Augmentin 125 mg po qid,” how much of this solution would be needed for a 24- hour period?
a. 5 ml c. 15 ml
b. 10 ml d. 20 ml

12. Sources
McCartney, L. & Sparks, J. Pharmacy Labs for Technicians: Building Skills in Pharmacy Practice. EMC Publishing, LLC
University of Florida College of Pharmacy: content/uploads/dept/ce/pharm_tech/slidehandouts/dosa gecalc.pdf