General Question Regarding Sterilization of Gear

[Inquisitor]

My question is this. If I open my vial to the ambient air, then it's considered unsterilized gear because it's been exposed to the bacteria in the air. So, does this mean that I cannot inject pressure into the vial before drawing up my needed dose ? If I inject pressure into the vial, does that the "air" that I'm injecting will infect the gear (Testosterone) with bacteria?

[magic32]

Good question Inquisitor, but you've slightly over-thought the process.
The answer is "no". Air doesn't desterilize gear any more than it would desterilize surgical tools in during a procedure. Only direct physical contact with contaminants effects sterilization, unless you're shooting in coal mine or someone is sneezing in your vial.

[Inquisitor]

OK, I accept that answer. Let me explain a little further. I received my two vials of Test, about 6 weeks ago. The first one had a top (stopper) that I had never see before and I mistakenly removed it, exposing it to the air. I asked someone about this and they said that this vial could not be considered sterile anymore and that I would need to sterilize it or get rid of it. Of course, this brought me to my question above. It just stands to reason that if the ambient air can contaminate an open vial, it should also contaminate the test when you inject it into the vial. Can I get some clarification on this ?

[Inquisitor]

bump

[magic32]

OK, I accept that answer. Let me explain a little further. I received my two vials of Test, about 6 weeks ago. The first one had a top (stopper) that I had never see before and I mistakenly removed it, exposing it to the air. I asked someone about this and they said that this vial could not be considered sterile anymore and that I would need to sterilize it or get rid of it. Of course, this brought me to my question above. It just stands to reason that if the ambient air can contaminate an open vial, it should also contaminate the test when you inject it into the vial. Can I get some clarification on this ?

There's really no other way to put it
Air DOES NOT contaminate gear.

[Inquisitor]

OK, thanks, Magic. No one else responded here, so I'm pretty sure you must be correct. Thanks for your input, my friend.

[Inquisitor]

This is something I found.
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The Vial



Try to keep the medication vial in sealed container or bag while not in use. Testosterone should be stored at room temperature and protected from light. DO NOT refrigerate. Crystals will form if chilled. DO NOT inject if you see crystals, warm up the vial in your hand until solution is clear. If you find any solid particulate in the vial that does not go away with warming, do not use the T in that vial as it may be contaminated. Consult your pharmacist.



Lightly shake the vial to reduce any potential separation of ingredients. Air bubbles are normal from shaking, and allow these to mostly clear before using. Cloudiness or darkening of the solution is not normal-DO NOT USE if not sure. Inspect for foreign objects. On very rare occasion, a small rubber piece can break off from the top rubber seal and free-float in the vial (more on this later). DO NOT USE the vial and contact your pharmacist. Some pharmacists may replace your vial if it is contaminated, but make sure you bring the vial with you.



Most compounded vials will have a 6-month expiration date and brand vials are good for 1 year. Do not use beyond that without the recommendation of your physician or pharmacist.



If you ever notice anything questionable about an injectable medication, or anything that is different or unusual, DO NOT USE and ask your physician or pharmacist.



New vials have a metal or plastic seal that needs to be broken off before using. Put a small amount of alcohol on your cotton ball (future reference to cotton balls implies for them to be lightly embedded with alcohol unless described otherwise, not too much that it drips off), and carefully wipe the top of the vial/rubber seal (before inserting the syringe). This is important every time, as a small amount of solution can be left behind on the top of vial after your last injection. This residual solution on the seal can harbor bacteria and can be injected into the vial if it is not cleaned first. This can contaminate your vial and cause you to have serious infections if you inject the contaminated T.



Remove the wrapper from the Band-Aid and stick a corner of the Band-Aid onto the cleaned edge of a nearby counter/desk/table edge.



Hint: you’ll only have one hand available later if you are injecting yourself, so getting everything ready before hand makes it much easier.



Filling the syringe


Pick up the syringe by the barrel, carefully remove the needle cap, and pull back the plunger to a little more than the amount that will be injected (example- 1.2 ml if you are filling 1ml). Insert syringe into vial. The beveled edge of the needle should be upward and insert the needle at an angle into the rubber stopper. Inserting the needle straight into the stopper can cause small fragments of the stopper to break lose into the solution and contaminate the vial. Always use a slight angle. “Coring the stopper”, or breaking off a small piece into the vial is a “user error”, not a defect, and the vial may or may not be replaced by the pharmacist. Never use any medication that has visible contamination.



Inject the air into the vial. There is an air pressure vacuum inside the vial and there will be a need to balance the pressure inside when you remove the solution. You should inject the same amount of air to replace the T that you will be removing. Having a slightly higher pressure inside the vial will make the solution come out more easily. Too much isn’t good either though, so don’t over do it or it may squirt out.



NEVER wipe or touch the needle (even with alcohol). If the uncapped syringe tip or the needle touches any surface, discard and get a new one. A bad infection isn’t worth the cost of a needle or syringe.



Turn the vial upside down and use backlighting to see what’s going on inside the vial as the syringe is filled. Make sure the needle bevel is below the surface of the T in the vial or you will be sucking air into your syringe.



Fill the syringe slightly over what will be used (and has been prescribed). There will be a few air bubbles inside. Carefully hold the vial with the inserted syringe upside down with one hand and “flick” the syringe with your finger to dislodge air bubbles to rise towards the needle. Gently push the plunger and force all air back into vial. There may be a need to withdraw more solution back into the syringe to get the desired amount, if so, there will be more little bubbles and it may be necessary to wait a second to let them converge. The place where the plunger’s black rubber contacts the syringe body is where to read the mark for measurement. There may be small, residual bubbles of air in the loaded syringe. This small amount of air will be absorbed into the blood and not a major concern. Also a small amount of air (about a tenth of an ml) can be useful when you inject (more on this later). When finished, withdraw the needle out quickly at the same angle it entered.



ALWAYS inspect the syringe for foreign objects and never use if there is anything suspicious floating in the solution after filling.



Hint: watching doctors and nurses on TV can give you an idea of how to fill a syringe and/or inject in a basic sense, but realize that they are actors, not medically trained, and not necessarily doing it the proper way. Emergency reality shows may be more helpful. Always ask your doctor about any injection questions or concerns. An even better resource is nurses – since they are the ones who are usually giving shots and do most patient teaching about injection technique.



Recap the syringe, without touching the needle to the cap edge, and return to wrapper tray. DO NOT attempt to wipe off any excess solution on the needle. Carefully wipe the top of the vial (rubber stopper) off again with alcohol and return the vial to its box, bottle or bag.



NEVER wipe or touch the needle (even with alcohol). If the uncapped syringe tip or needle touches any surface, discard and get a new one. If the syringe has already been filled and the needle gets contaminated, you can unscrew the needle and replace with a clean one. Work over a clean, clear surface so that if you do drop anything, it doesn’t fall on the floor. Again, a bad infection isn’t worth the cost of a syringe or needle.

[Bonaparte]

There's really no other way to put it
Air DOES NOT contaminate gear.

It certainly can (airborne pathogens), but minimizing exposure time is the key here. Its just an odds game. You wouldn't want to leave an opened vial sitting around, but its acceptable to, say, backload a 60ml syringe by pouring the gear straight from the filtered container while homebrewing. The BA will generally take care of any minor contamination, but leaving something sterile exposed to the air could certainly allow dust, germs, and fungal spores to build up in there.

[bodybuilder]

What about ampules? You have to open those before you insert the test into the syringe. Does this mean they can be contaminated.

[baseline_9]

What about ampules? You have to open those before you insert the test into the syringe. Does this mean they can be contaminated.

No

Unless dust or particle get into the amp while it is open

Do it in a clean room and the chance of dust going in are minimal

[Bonaparte]

What about ampules? You have to open those before you insert the test into the syringe. Does this mean they can be contaminated.

Possible? Yes.
But it is VERY unlikely that anything is going to float in there that your immune system can't handle if you crack it open and don't waste time drawing it up.

[Far from massive]

This is a funny thread to me, every bottle with a membrane top gets air added to it in small quantities at each injection. As far as a bottle being uncorked for a moment unless you did it in a TB ward of public bus or have 40 cats or dogs in your house, I would not loose a lot of sleep over it. Contamination from not wiping the top of the bottle or using a multiuse drawing pin are very good ways to introduce significant amount of crap into a vial but unless you or someone else has recently sneezed the air inside the average house is not that 'dirty' by comparison.