Drug reconstitution: Nursing pharmacology

Reconstitution is the process of adding a liquid diluent, or solvent, to a powdered medication, or solute, and then dissolving the medication to form a solution. In some cases, reconstitution is necessary because a medication doesn't remain stable long enough to be distributed in solution form, so it comes from the manufacturer in a powdered form and must be reconstituted with a liquid prior to administration.  

Now, if your patient is prescribed a medication that requires reconstitution, you’ll follow the steps of drug reconstitution to perform safe medication administration. First, read the directions on the medication label or medication insert; or you can consult the pharmacist at your facility. This information will tell you the type and amount of solvent to add to the powdered medication. Commonly used solvents include sterile water, bacteriostatic water, or sterile normal saline.  

Next, you’ll use a syringe and needle to draw up the desired volume of solvent from its vial and inject the solvent into the vial of powdered medication. After disposing of the syringe and needle according to your facility’s policy, you’ll typically roll the vial between your hands to mix it, unless the label specifies that you can shake it, making sure the medication dissolves completely, forming a solution. 

Some reconstituted medications are packaged in single-dose vials, meaning the vial and its contents should be disposed of following administration. Other reconstituted medications are packaged in multi-dose vials, meaning the contents can be stored and used later for additional doses. For multi-dose vials, be sure to label the vial with the date and time it was reconstituted, the expiration date and time, the dosage strength, and your initials. 

Okay, let’s look at some drug reconstitution examples. 

Let’s take a look at this label for methylprednisolone.

First, read the directions on the label, which instruct you to use 2 mL of bacteriostatic water for reconstitution. Use a syringe and needle to draw up 2 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject the entire 2 mL into the vial of powdered methylprednisolone. After injecting the water, remove and properly dispose of the syringe and needle. Then, to mix the medication and water, roll the vial in your hands until there’s no visible powder in the vial.