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Drug Therapy Protocols: Water for injection

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Date February, 2015

Purpose To ensure a consistent procedural approach to Water for injection administration.

Scope Applies to all QAS clinical staff.

Author Clinical Quality & Patient Safety Unit, QAS

Review date February, 2017

URL https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinical.html

874QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE

Drug classNot applicable.

PharmacologyWater for injection is sterile water used to dilute or dissolve drugs.

MetabolismNot applicable.

Presentation

Onset Duration Half-life

N/A

• Ampoule, 20 mL Water for Injection

Water for injection

Contraindications

• Nil

Indications

• To dissolve AND/OR dilute drugs for the purposeof IM, IV or IO administration

Precautions

• Nil

Side effects

• Nil

Routes of administration

Intravenous injection (IV)

Intramuscular injection (IM)

Schedule

• Unscheduled.

N/A N/A

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QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE 875

Special notes

• Under no circumstances should water for injection be injected unless it has been used to dissolve or dilute drugsfor administration.

• QAS medications approved for dilution with water for Injection include:- ceftriaxone, hydrocortisone and ketamine.

(Refer to individual DTPs.)

• Water for injection may be used to assist with theadministration of oral medication (aspirin, clopidogrel

paracetamol and ticagrelor) if required.

Adult dosages

IM As authorised on individual DTPs

IV As authorised on individual DTPs

IO As authorised on individual DTPs

To disolve AND/OR dilute drugs for the purpose of IM, IV or IO administration

Paediatric dosages

IM As authorised on individual DTPs

IV As authorised on individual DTPs

IO As authorised on individual DTPs

To disolve AND/OR dilute drugs for the purpose of IM, IV or IO administration

Water for injection

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