Opioids Have questions re Sterile Processing of Opiate IV Solution

[simplgrl77]

Hello BL Community!
I know there are a few BL members who prep their meds in a multi-use vial. I think there are a few more tips, questions and discussions that could be had regarding this activity.

I prepare a vial of my rx'd opiate medication so I can economically utilize a micron filter. I usually prep 10ML vials that last a few days. I have done as much as 30ML which lasted 4 days. The 10ML should last 2 full days

Anyway, I have a few questions that I have not seen discussed here.

1. Do you think the active ingredient settles?
I usually will tilt the bottle back and forth and roll around to mix and not cause bubbles. Sometimes I dont remember or dont do it well and sometimes I feel like the shot was not as strong.

2. Sterilization. I actually suggest we should start a new Sticky Thread on Sterilization.

For example, what things are killed (and probably more importantly) what are NOT killed.

including things most people have access to. ie. rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide.

I did a little research on this (http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/sterile/basics.cfm) and know there really is NO home sterilization without an autoclave. So this would be how to get the closest to that or how to kill the most germs,bacteria, etc. Also, what materials should be used. For example, plastic vs glass.
I also learned this is a career (http://www.indeed.com/q-Sterile-Processing-Technician-jobs.html) so it would be great if we had some folks on here that did this for a living or at least were in trained to offer their advice.

Luckily, I am able, at this time to use new, sterile needles, syringes, filters. I even use the medical sterile cotton balls. I know not everyone is so lucky. Even for me it is getting quite expensive! Individual items are only a few dollars but it all adds up quickly! So I think its important to conserve materials as much as possible so we can all continue to be as clean as possible for as long as possible.

Even tho the .2 micron is filtering bacteria I try to be as sterile as humanly possible. I boil everything in distilled water (for about 2min) in a glass bowl then use rubbing alcohol. I have no idea if I am doing any good.

Items that I need to re-use in my processing are for the mixing and filtering. I know some people simply backload syringes. The problem with that for me is the pills I have are VERY starchy and there is a LOT of material that clogs a cotton packed syringe filter very quickly. I need to pull thru cotton, then I am able to backload a cotton packed syringe and micron.


I use a plastic spoon (its actually a coffee scooper) that came with a french press. I also use contact cases for mixing and filtering. Should I be using glass? Is plastic ok? Its a heavy grade. Im sure scratches would harbor bacteria. Small steel medical scissors for cutting the cotton.

Here are a few of the things I do in an attempt to minimize contamination...

I throughly clean my bathroom. Sink, mirror, floor, toilet ect. in order to reduce the amount of germs in the environment.

I change my clothing. I never wear something I have been wearing all day while processing.

I use Clorox Anywhere spray for the counter and Lysol for the air and let stand for 5 min.

While processing I put the syringes back in the wrapper while I am not using them. Basically everything is covered in an attempt to keep the bacteria in the air from settling on items during processing.

I also always keep my vial in a small plastic bag, in a tin, in the back (coldest part) in the fridge. I promptly return it to the fridge once using it.
(those small craft/jewelry ziplock baggies you can get at a hobby store perfectly fit a 10ML vial)

I would like to hear everyones thoughts on this. What are some other peoples methods. Does anyone have any tricks to be more sterile? What steps am I missing?

I did not include everything and all my steps but this is pretty long already and I know most of us dont read posts longer than a few paragraphs. If you are still with me...thanks for reading and please let me know your thoughts and your expertise!!!

 

[bingey]

Your plans seems sound , a good idea is to cut off the air flow in the room you are working in (a bathroom is ideal) , most bacteria come from your own body , gloves , and a hairnet are also a good idea as well as scrubbing every exposed piece of flesh on the arms/hands.

I never messed with vials , however I frequently prepared solutions of fentanyl for iv use , my solution was to add about 0,5 - 1 % of benzyl alcohol as a preservative , instead of a vial I always used to store the product in a 50 ml syringe with a small gauge tip (note i only needed a few units for a shot which would be diluted afterwards , more concentrated solution means less preservative which is better for your health.

Do note that the product i started with was always 98-99% pure so with all the sugars/starch etc it might not be so easy to keep a solution prepared from pills bacteria free.

 

[simplgrl77]

Great tips bingeboy! Much appreciated.
I was not sure if the door should be shut or open. Also should I put the fan on? There is a vent fan above the toilet. Better on?
I also like the idea of making concentrated solution and adding saline. I have used filtered solution to filter more pills instead of more water. Thats works pretty well to make strong solution. Just soooo much work!

 

[sekio]

I did a little research on this (http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/sterile/basics.cfm) and know there really is NO home sterilization without an autoclave.

This. Without stainless steel tools & high pressure steam it is difficult to ensure sterility. Some micro-organisms can evade sterilisation by e.g. Lysol or whatever.

Generally, using 99% alcohol to sterilise equipment and skin, and working indoors (ideally in a microbiology hood equipped with a short wave UV mercury vapour lamp) would be best. The important thing is to work in as clean an environment as you can, and dispose everything that's single-use and disposable, like cotton balls and syringes, pref. in a sharps box or something.

The major risk comes from using clearly nonsterile equipment, or doing things like "cotton shots". Your body can deal with a few bacteria sneaking in on a shot - your immune system will kill 'em; it cannot deal with injecting a solution of bacterial toxins like you'd get from injecting a used cotton. Not saying to half-ass the sterilisation, but don't worry about climbing into a dust suit and shooting up in Intel's clean rooms. Give everything a wipe down with alcohol, swab your injection site with a little iodine maybe, use fresh filters and cottons, and make sure to dispose of everything at the end properly.

Also, solutions of water soluble opioids shouldn't settle noticeably.

 

[down508]

look into the micron megathread. captain h lays down some serious knowledge in that thread. it's basically the online bible of micron filtering. for keeping sterile I suggest usiing bacteriostatic water or making your own using benzyl alcohol. If you're making bulk vials on a regular basis you really need to get into the habit of doing this. also don't stick a used needle into a vial, even if it's just one that you used earlier and aren't planning on reusing for injection. and unless you use a lot of heat when dissolving your pills (don't) I don't see how it could settle. if it makes you feel better (never underestimate the power of your mind (that sounds like vocals from a hardstyle breakdown)) then give your solution a good shake before you inject. you might also want to refridgerate the solution when not in use, just make sure you use cold and sterile water in the first place.

other than that it seems like you are taking some good harm reduction steps, so keep up the good work. so many people (myself included in the past unfortunately) cook up single shots of their daily med every day and out of habit they start to get sloppy. stay safe.

 

[bingey]

Turn the ventilation off the less particles moving around the better. Unless you have one of those systems which push out all the nasties that is (forgot what's it called usually only found in labs).

Also I think using bleach is a cheap and viable alternative to alcohol for surfaces and even sterilizing equipment (undiluted)

 

[simplgrl77]

Thanks sekio. I watch Intervention a lot and see the unsterile crap people do all the time and not get sick. Its crazy.
I am new to injecting and unlike most iv users I care about myself a lot. Im not doing it for a high. I would be scared as shit if I felt a rush. I also eat as well as possible like antioxidant rich foods and blood cleaning foods so my body can fight whatever does get in. Im terrified of getting an infection in my blood or heart. I love my life and my family. That's why I try so hard to be as clean as possible.
At first I thought the iv route was more efficient and would allow me to use less drug but that is not how its turning out at all.
Im actually using more. I think its partly because a shoy does not last very long at all. Its like 2 hours tops and im wanting another one. Plugging is like 5 or 6 hoirs before I feel like it wore off. I also like the feeling of plugging more too. I can get a "good" feeling and not be scared im gonna OD. Plus it is a nice warm relaxing feeling.
The iv is like a quick rush that feels like something is taking over. Its scary to me.
Im figuring out that I was wrong to go the iv route. It doesnt use less meds and costs a lot more money and is way risky.the only benefit for me is its faster. It takes only a few min but prep time is 2-3 hours at least once a week. So overall time is still a lot.
Stick with plugging kidds. Even tho it sucks to have to lay down for 20 min several times a day its still better overall.