1. Reconstitution of Powdered Drugs
Chapter 10
Reconstitution of Powdered Drugs

2. Reconstitution Directions
On vial, labels may be small and difficult to read.
Extreme care in reading them is essential.

3. Purpose
Drugs in powder form retain potency for only short time once reconstituted.
For example, ampicillin

4. Drug Volume After Reconstitution
Reconstituted volumes do not always exactly equal amount of diluent because medication itself has volume.
Makes total volume larger than amount of diluent injected into vial.

5. Reconstituting a Drug The person who reconstitutes a drug is
responsible for labeling it with the date
and time of expiration, and must initial it.

6. Reconstitution: Step 1
Locate directions on label, package insert, or current parenteral medication reference.

7. Diluent Information Type of diluent varies for different drugs.
Sterile water used most frequently for parenteral drug reconstitution
Volume of diluent varies for different drugs.
(continues)

8. Diluent Information (cont’d)
If directions given for both IM and IV reconstitution, be careful to read correct set for solution being prepared.

9. Reconstitution: Step 2
Once diluent identified, use sterile syringe and aseptic technique to draw up volume of diluent required for reconstitution of specific medication.

10. Vial Pressure
If powdered medication in vial, syringe plunger forced out to expel air.
Re-equalizes internal vial pressure as diluent injected

11. Reconstitution: Step 3
After diluent injected, rotate and up end vial until all medication dissolved.
Most parenteral medications should not be shaken to dissolve powder.

12. Reconstitution: Step 4
After reconstitution, locate information that notes how long reconstituted medication can be stored.

13. Reconstitution: Step 5 Document the following items:
Initials of person reconstituting medication
Reconstitution date and time
Expiration date and time

14. Reconstitution Information
If all information needed for reconstitution not on medication vial label, obtain from one of the following locations:
Medication package insert
Current and reliable medication reference
Facility pharmacy

15. Multiple Strength Solutions
Some powdered medications offer choice of dosage strengths.
Reconstituted strength must be added to label information.