bacteriostatic normal saline (Allina Health)

Bacteriostatic normal saline is a sterile, non-pyrogenic solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride and 0.9% (9 mg/mL) benzyl alcohol, which serves as a bacteriostatic preservative. While its primary regulatory indication is as a sterile vehicle for diluting or dissolving drugs for parenteral administration, it is frequently utilized off-label as a local anesthetic for minor procedures such as peripheral intravenous (IV) catheterization and intradermal skin wheals. The anesthetic effect is derived from the benzyl alcohol component, which acts as a local anesthetic by inhibiting nerve conduction. It is often preferred in clinical settings for patients with lidocaine hypersensitivity or to mitigate the stinging sensation typically associated with the administration of acidic local anesthetics like lidocaine.

Other names

bacteriostatic 0.9% sodium chloridesaline with benzyl alcoholbacteriostatic sodium chloride injection