bacteriostatic normal saline (Emory University)

Bacteriostatic normal saline is a sterile, non-pyrogenic solution of 0.9% sodium chloride in water for injection, containing 0.9% (9 mg/mL) of benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative. While primarily indicated as a diluent or solvent for parenteral medications, it is frequently utilized off-label for local anesthesia. The benzyl alcohol component acts as a local anesthetic by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, providing sensory blockade when administered via intradermal or subcutaneous injection. Clinical studies, such as those conducted by Emory University, have compared its efficacy and pain profile to traditional local anesthetics like lidocaine for procedures such as lumbar medial branch blocks, often finding it to be a less painful alternative for skin wheal creation due to its neutral pH.

Other names

bacteriostatic sodium chloride 0.9% injectionbacteriostatic salinesaline with benzyl alcohol