Sterile drugs for injection are usually available in ampoules - hermetically sealed glass vessels. In order to draw the medicine into the syringe, it is necessary to open the ampoule by breaking its upper tip. Usually, for these purposes, a special nail file is included with the ampoules, but what if it is not there?
If you got a set of ampoules without a nail file, the first thing you need to figure out is which type of ampoules you got. There are ampoules, for the opening of which a nail file is not required at all. On the neck of such an ampoule should be present dot or circle mark, denoting the break line. The glass from which the ampoule is made is thinner in this place, so the tip should break off without difficulty.
To open such an ampoule, the first step is to disinfect it in the place of the fracture. First, wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in medical alcohol, and then with dry sterile cotton so that the ampoule is not slippery. After that, clasp the top of the ampoule with sterile cotton and break off with light pressure away from you.
Labeled ampoules must be opened with a slight movement, so no additional tools (such as pliers) need to be used. When opening the ampoule by “power” methods, there is a high risk of crushing the glass, as a result, the sterility of the drug will be violated, and you may be injured by fragments.
If there is no label on the ampoule, you need to open it special nail file(ampoule knife or ampoule scarifier). With the help of this nail file, a file is made on the ampoule, along which its top is broken off.
In case if nail file missing(let's say you bought one or two ampoules of medicine at a pharmacy instead of a whole package, and they didn’t give you a nail file), you can try to file the ampoule with the help of improvised tools.
Best suited for these purposes metal nail file. Disinfect the nail file with alcohol, press it against the neck of the ampoule at a 45-degree angle and carefully file the ampoule in a circle. Choose the place of the notch so that it is convenient to break off the tip, but at the same time it should not be too low.
After that, you need to repeat the same steps as when opening the ampoule with a label: disinfect and carefully break off the tip along the notch line in the direction away from you, clasping it with a cotton swab or napkin.
You can also use a kitchen knife to open the ampoule, although it is worse for this purpose than a nail file. With a sharp knife (of course, previously disinfected), make several cuts in different directions at the intended fracture site, and then proceed according to the standard scheme.
Acting by "artisanal" methods, it is better instead of cotton wrap the ampoule with a cloth or a thin towel: this will help to better protect yourself from fragments if the ampoule does burst. As in the case of labeled ampoules, pliers, tongs and other household tools cannot be used to open the ampoule.
Having broken off the tip of the ampoule, by all means make sure there are no broken glass inside. Lower the needle of the syringe into the opened ampoule and draw up the medicine by pulling the plunger. Make sure that the needle cut is always completely immersed in the solution, otherwise air bubbles will get into the syringe along with the medicine, which can provoke the appearance of an infiltrate () at the injection site. Before making an injection, the needle must be replaced, as it could become dull on the walls of the ampoule.
The most important thing when opening an ampoule with a preparation (especially with improvised means) is don't rush and be careful, then you will certainly succeed.
For injections, drugs are used in special ampoules, which reliably protect the active substance from external influences. If its integrity is broken, we recommend not to use the drug and take an undamaged container.
In order to have access to the medicine, you must break the integrity of the ampoule. This must be done immediately before the injection, because if you do this earlier, the medication will lose its properties. After opening, the liquid is taken with a syringe and an injection is made.
How to open an ampoule with a break point
The procedure must be carried out as carefully as possible, otherwise you risk injuring yourself or accidentally pouring out the medicine. Each time you open the ampoule better and better, but before you start the procedure, use our tips.
Before the procedure, we advise you to protect your hands by wearing thin rubber gloves. Thanks to them, you can protect your palms and fingers from cuts and scratches. Surely you have seen more than once how doctors open an ampoule even without gloves, right? No wonder, because they have many years of experience.
You also need to prepare a place - it is better to do this while sitting, lay out a towel or cloth on the surface of the table.
First of all, carefully inspect the packaging in which the ampoules are located. Very often, the package already contains a convenient compact nail file for opening a glass container. How to open the ampoule in this case? It's simple - take a nail file and run it several times in the narrowest place. Once the glass is thin enough, you need to break the top off. That's all, the ampoule is open and the medicine is ready for use.
How to open an ampoule with a dot? Many mistakenly think that it needs to be cut exactly in the place where the point is located, but this is not so. It only indicates that you can break the ampoule without using any tools.
Take a closer look at the neck of the ampoule - in the thinnest place you will see a rim, this is the place of the break.
To prevent cuts, you need to cover the top of the ampoule with a tissue or cloth. Hold the container with one hand, and with the other, grasp the top and concentrate pressure on it, make a quick movement and break it off.
If there is no rim or break point on the ampoule, you will have to cope on your own. In order to remove the head, you need to take a knife or a thin metal nail file. Make several cuts in the same place. Then grab the top part and quickly break it off.
To prevent fragments from hitting you, try to keep the container as far away from you as possible. You also need to remove the top in the same direction - make a break not towards yourself, but away from you.
Everything, the medicine is ready to use! It remains only to draw it into a syringe and make an injection.
How to open an ampoule: video
In this video clip you will find some useful tips on how to open different types of ampoules.
Women's online magazine site
An attack of headache (tooth, stomach) pain. A cure for it has long been invented - an ampoule with an analgesic, a syringe - and in 10 minutes life will again be filled with meaning. But when trying to extract the drug, we may expect an unpleasant surprise prepared by native pharmaceutical enterprises - it is not so easy to open an ampoule. A few minutes of desperate struggle, cursing the one who invented all this, the crack of breaking glass, the treatment of cut limbs with an antiseptic - and the road to a painless existence is free. A situation familiar to almost everyone. These unpleasant moments can be avoided if you know how to open the ampoule.
The modern pharmaceutical industry offers several types of glass packaging for injectables, which are opened in different ways.
History of the ampoule
And it all started in the 19th century. The opinions of historians regarding the inventor of the ampoule differ. Some believe that the Russian pharmacist A.V. Pel became the progenitor of the container. Western experts give the palm to the Frenchman Stanislav Limousin. But the fact is that in the 80s of the last century, a glass vessel with a narrow elongated neck and a wide base was invented, designed to store a sterile drug. The name of the container comes from the Greek word "amphora" - a vessel. Until now, domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers produce injectable forms in ampoules, painfully reminiscent of a 130-year-old "old woman".
Glass ampoule without notch
To successfully open a glass ampoule, it is necessary, armed with knowledge, to apply strength and sleight of hand. A conscientious manufacturer must complete the package with the preparation with a scarifier or a knife for ampoules. In this case, the buyer is lucky, and the algorithm of actions is standard:
- shake the ampoule;
- using a scarifier, file the neck of the ampoule, choosing the optimal distance from the top;
- wipe the place of the incision with alcohol;
- wrap the neck with cotton wool or a napkin and, in the “away from you” position, break off the filed tip of the ampoule.
Secondly, as an abrasive agent for opening the ampoule, use a nail file, after wiping it with alcohol.
Well, for those who are not looking for easy ways - the third, most cruel option is to wrap the container with the treasured medicine with cotton wool and break off its top, relying on chance. If, as a result of the efforts expended, the glass fragments did not get inside the container and did not scatter throughout the room, the first barrier was overcome. It remains to open the ampoule without spilling the medicine and the blood of the future patient. If you succeeded, you can consider yourself a virtuoso.
Glass ampoule with notch
According to European standards, ampoules must have a colored ring or break point. The glass at the break point is much thinner, and it is not difficult to open an ampoule with a dot. Having treated the ampoule with an antiseptic and armed with a napkin, you need to press on the notch and carefully break off the neck of the ampoule - that's the whole algorithm.
Dry powder bottle
Some drugs are not stable when dissolved and are available in powder form. Once you've become the proud owner of a bottle of dry powder, the task of opening it and extracting the medicine can turn into a puzzle.
First, a solvent is needed. Most often it is water for injection, anesthetic solution or isotonic solution. Sometimes manufacturers release it complete with the main drug. Otherwise, the solvent is purchased separately.
Secondly, you need a syringe.
Well, the process itself:
- it is necessary to draw the required volume of solvent into the syringe (for clarification, read the instructions for the preparation);
- remove the cap from the bottle (it can be metal, it is cut off with scissors or a knife, and plastic);
- under the top cover, find the bottom, rubber one, which you should not forget to wipe with alcohol;
- piercing the rubber cap with a syringe needle, inject the solvent into the vial;
- shake the vial thoroughly, make sure that all the drug has dissolved;
- draw the solution with the same syringe;
- change the needle on the syringe to a new, sterile one.
Pharmaceutical companies produce some medicinal and cosmetic preparations in glass ampoules. But if necessary, extracting the drug from the ampoule for most of us becomes a huge problem prepared by our well-wishers pharmacists.
Probably everyone has met with such a situation. Of course, this problem can be avoided if you know exactly how to open the ampoule.
The procedure for opening the ampoule with the drug
- To begin with, as required by the generally accepted rules for the use of any medicines, you need to read the name of the drug, determine the volume, and also make sure that the expiration date corresponds to the date of direct use of the medicine.
- As a rule, along with the medicine and instructions for it, a special nail file for opening ampoules and vials is included in the kit. Before using the nail file, this ampoule must be shaken well so that all the medicine is at the bottom of the bottle.
- Behind that nail file, “walk” around the circumference of the neck of the ampoule, gradually filing it.
- With a cotton swab, which was previously moistened with alcohol, carefully wipe the ampoule and, pressing, break off the neck away from you. To protect yourself from cuts, it is recommended to use a napkin or cotton swab, after wrapping the neck of the ampoule before breaking off the top of the ampoule.
- Lower the syringe with a needle into the opened ampoule, pulling the plunger, draw the required volume of solution.
It should be taken into account the nuance that during the collection of the medicine, the tip of the needle may wrap due to its contact with the walls of the vessel (and / or its bottom). For this reason, the needle may become blunt. Thus, it is considered correct to use one needle for a set of the drug, and the second is taken directly for the injection itself.
Also, observing the instillation of asepsis, it is recommended to use two needles. When performing manipulations with the needle, its sterility is violated, which can cause undesirable complications after the injection. Additional single needles can always be purchased from a pharmacy.
How to open an ampoule without a nail file?
First way
Now there are often ampoules and vials that can be opened without a special nail file. The manufacturer provides a structure that allows you to do without it. But, as a rule, such information is not indicated on the package, and the nail file is not provided in the package, so it will be necessary to check directly in practice.
Using a napkin or rag, press on the ampoule and break off the neck. If the attempt is unsuccessful, then the ampoule will still have to be filed.
Second way
Instead of a special nail file, you can use:
- Manicure file. The result will be the same as from a special nail file. Hold the tool at an angle of 45 degrees to the neck and file. After that, the same actions - wrap the ampoule with a napkin and, pressing on the cut, break off the top of the ampoule.
- A kitchen knife can also be used at home for this purpose. However, the effectiveness may be less than in the case of a nail file. In order to open the ampoule, it is necessary to make incisions in various directions and break off the neck, protecting yourself from cuts.
Ampoule with dry powder
In order to use the medicine in the form of a powder, which is intended for injection, it must first be dissolved. Various prescribed substances can be used as a solvent - special water, novocaine, lidocaine, etc.
Options for acceptable solvents should be indicated in the instructions for the drug itself, or the doctor must indicate it himself, depending on the specific case of using the drug.
To begin with, it is necessary to draw the required amount of the specified solvent into the syringe, remove the protective metal cap from the vial and wipe the rubber cap under it with a cotton swab that has been soaked in alcohol. After that, inject the contents of the syringe into the ampoule and shake the vial thoroughly.
Turning it upside down, again draw the already obtained ready-made injection into the syringe. Before the introduction of the solution to the patient, the needle must be replaced with a new one, since the needle, for obvious reasons, could become dull.
How to reduce air bubbles in the syringe
- When taking the medicine, the needle section must always be completely immersed in the solution, otherwise air will enter the syringe along with the medicine, which will cause those very bubbles that are sometimes so hard to get rid of. This is the main reason for air to enter the syringe. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the cut of the needle and immerse it completely in the drug.
- When the liquid begins to run out in the ampoule, it will need to be placed horizontally, and the cut of the needle should be pressed against the wall of the vial as much as possible. After such actions, the needle becomes blunt and in order to reduce pain in the patient, it is advisable to change it to a new one. Separately packaged needles are sold at the pharmacy.
- In a situation where the bubbles still got into the syringe, they are disposed of by whipping it. If the air still remains in the syringe and enters the body as a result of intramuscular injection, then this is not so scary, but it is advisable to avoid such cases. After the injection, air may be in the muscle or intercellular space, or in the vessel. For this reason, the capillary vessel may die, since it will be blocked by the very air that has entered it.
If the volume of air was greater, then in this case an “air infiltrate” will appear in the muscle, which is a seal, a bump. Symptoms and consequences are the same as with a normal infiltrate. It is also not dangerous, but rather unpleasant. Still, it is better to avoid getting air into the syringe with the medicine and inject according to the attached instructions for the drug.
By adhering to such simple at first glance rules, it is possible to carry out the entire injection procedure as painlessly and safely as possible - from opening the ampoule to directly introducing it to the patient.
An ampoule is a glass sealed container designed to store liquid and powdered medicines. Since its main feature is tightness, it should be assumed that it is sealed on all sides and it is sometimes very difficult to get to its contents.
So, let's consider methods that give an answer to the question: "How to open an ampoule without harming yourself and others?" In addition, we will figure out what they are and why they are needed.
How to open a vial of liquid medicine
As a rule, all glass containers for medicines are divided into 2 types: completely glass and those with a metal cap. In order to open the first variety, you must sequentially perform the following operations:
- Read the name of the medicine, special attention should be paid to its expiration date.
- The container must be shaken so that the medicine all falls down and does not spill during depressurization.
- If the kit for the ampoule includes an object for filing (as a rule, this is an emery stick), it must be worked around the circumference in the narrowest part of the container, at the point where the neck goes to the ampoule itself.
- Take a piece of cotton wool or a paper napkin and break the neck away from you in order to avoid possible damage when the glass is crushed.
- Open the ampoule.
In the event that the necessary nail file is not included with it, it can be replaced with such improvised means as or
How to open a dry powder ampoule
If, upon purchasing a box with the drug, you find that the medicine is a dry powder, and the cap of the ampoule is iron, then in order to open it, you must do the following:
What else are ampoules
IN Lately drug manufacturers have come up with the safe opening of ampoules without the help of foreign objects. In this case, there is no glass on the neck at the point of transition to the bubble itself, and the top can simply be broken off. But there are also unique ampoules that are sealed with aluminum, and sometimes it is not so easy to open them yourself. For example, this is how mexidol is packaged in ampoules. This drug is used to improve the blood supply to the brain, reduce general level cholesterol in the vessels, and is also used as first aid for drug or alcohol intoxication, epilepsy and convulsions. 
As a rule, such ampoules are sold only to medical institutions, and after use, their number is taken into account. It also happens with all sealed packages containing narcotic substances.
Thus, the answer to the question was found in the article: “How to open an ampoule?” You should not use any other methods if they threaten the health of others and carry the possibility of changing the composition of the drug.
Sterile drugs for injection are usually available in ampoules - hermetically sealed glass vessels. In order to draw the medicine into the syringe, it is necessary to open the ampoule by breaking its upper tip. Usually, for these purposes, a special nail file is included with the ampoules, but what if it is not there?
If you got a set of ampoules without a nail file, the first thing you need to figure out is which type of ampoules you got. There are ampoules, for the opening of which a nail file is not required at all. On the neck of such an ampoule should be present dot or circle mark, denoting the break line. The glass from which the ampoule is made is thinner in this place, so the tip should break off without difficulty.
To open such an ampoule, the first step is to disinfect it in the place of the fracture. First, wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in medical alcohol, and then with dry sterile cotton so that the ampoule is not slippery. After that, clasp the top of the ampoule with sterile cotton and break off with light pressure away from you.
Labeled ampoules must be opened with a slight movement, so no additional tools (such as pliers) need to be used. When opening the ampoule by “power” methods, there is a high risk of crushing the glass, as a result, the sterility of the drug will be violated, and you may be injured by fragments.
If there is no label on the ampoule, you need to open it special nail file(ampoule knife or ampoule scarifier). With the help of this nail file, a file is made on the ampoule, along which its top is broken off.
In case if nail file missing(let's say you bought one or two ampoules of medicine at a pharmacy instead of a whole package, and they didn’t give you a nail file), you can try to file the ampoule with the help of improvised tools.
Best suited for these purposes metal nail file. Disinfect the nail file with alcohol, press it against the neck of the ampoule at a 45-degree angle and carefully file the ampoule in a circle. Choose the place of the notch so that it is convenient to break off the tip, but at the same time it should not be too low.
After that, you need to repeat the same steps as when opening the ampoule with a label: disinfect and carefully break off the tip along the notch line in the direction away from you, clasping it with a cotton swab or napkin.
You can also use a kitchen knife to open the ampoule, although it is worse for this purpose than a nail file. With a sharp knife (of course, previously disinfected), make several cuts in different directions at the intended fracture site, and then proceed according to the standard scheme.
Acting by "artisanal" methods, it is better instead of cotton wrap the ampoule with a cloth or a thin towel: this will help to better protect yourself from fragments if the ampoule does burst. As in the case of labeled ampoules, pliers, tongs and other household tools cannot be used to open the ampoule.
Having broken off the tip of the ampoule, by all means make sure there are no broken glass inside. Lower the needle of the syringe into the opened ampoule and draw up the medicine by pulling the plunger. Make sure that the needle cut is always completely immersed in the solution, otherwise air bubbles will get into the syringe along with the medicine, which can provoke the appearance of an infiltrate () at the injection site. Before making an injection, the needle must be replaced, as it could become dull on the walls of the ampoule.
The most important thing when opening an ampoule with a preparation (especially with improvised means) is don't rush and be careful, then you will certainly succeed.
Pharmaceutical companies produce some medicinal and cosmetic preparations in glass ampoules. But if necessary, extracting the drug from the ampoule for most of us becomes a huge problem prepared by our well-wishers pharmacists.
Probably everyone has met with such a situation. Of course, this problem can be avoided if you know exactly how to open the ampoule.
The procedure for opening the ampoule with the drug
- To begin with, as required by the generally accepted rules for the use of any medicines, you need to read the name of the drug, determine the volume, and also make sure that the expiration date corresponds to the date of direct use of the medicine.
- As a rule, along with the medicine and instructions for it, a special nail file for opening ampoules and vials is included in the kit. Before using the nail file, this ampoule must be shaken well so that all the medicine is at the bottom of the bottle.
- Behind that nail file, “walk” around the circumference of the neck of the ampoule, gradually filing it.
- With a cotton swab, which was previously moistened with alcohol, carefully wipe the ampoule and, pressing, break off the neck away from you. To protect yourself from cuts, it is recommended to use a napkin or cotton swab, after wrapping the neck of the ampoule before breaking off the top of the ampoule.
- Lower the syringe with a needle into the opened ampoule, pulling the plunger, draw the required volume of solution.
It should be taken into account the nuance that during the collection of the medicine, the tip of the needle may wrap due to its contact with the walls of the vessel (and / or its bottom). For this reason, the needle may become blunt. Thus, it is considered correct to use one needle for a set of the drug, and the second is taken directly for the injection itself.
Also, observing the instillation of asepsis, it is recommended to use two needles. When performing manipulations with the needle, its sterility is violated, which can cause undesirable complications after the injection. Additional single needles can always be purchased from a pharmacy.
How to open an ampoule without a nail file?
First way
Now there are often ampoules and vials that can be opened without a special nail file. The manufacturer provides a structure that allows you to do without it. But, as a rule, such information is not indicated on the package, and the nail file is not provided in the package, so it will be necessary to check directly in practice.
Using a napkin or rag, press on the ampoule and break off the neck. If the attempt is unsuccessful, then the ampoule will still have to be filed.
Second way
Instead of a special nail file, you can use:
- Manicure file. The result will be the same as from a special nail file. Hold the tool at an angle of 45 degrees to the neck and file. After that, the same actions - wrap the ampoule with a napkin and, pressing on the cut, break off the top of the ampoule.
- A kitchen knife can also be used at home for this purpose. However, the effectiveness may be less than in the case of a nail file. In order to open the ampoule, it is necessary to make incisions in various directions and break off the neck, protecting yourself from cuts.
Ampoule with dry powder
In order to use the medicine in the form of a powder, which is intended for injection, it must first be dissolved. Various prescribed substances can be used as a solvent - special water, novocaine, lidocaine, etc.
Options for acceptable solvents should be indicated in the instructions for the drug itself, or the doctor must indicate it himself, depending on the specific case of using the drug.
To begin with, it is necessary to draw the required amount of the specified solvent into the syringe, remove the protective metal cap from the vial and wipe the rubber cap under it with a cotton swab that has been soaked in alcohol. After that, inject the contents of the syringe into the ampoule and shake the vial thoroughly.
Turning it upside down, again draw the already obtained ready-made injection into the syringe. Before the introduction of the solution to the patient, the needle must be replaced with a new one, since the needle, for obvious reasons, could become dull.
How to reduce air bubbles in the syringe
- When taking the medicine, the needle section must always be completely immersed in the solution, otherwise air will enter the syringe along with the medicine, which will cause those very bubbles that are sometimes so hard to get rid of. This is the main reason for air to enter the syringe. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the cut of the needle and immerse it completely in the drug.
- When the liquid begins to run out in the ampoule, it will need to be placed horizontally, and the cut of the needle should be pressed against the wall of the vial as much as possible. After such actions, the needle becomes blunt and in order to reduce pain in the patient, it is advisable to change it to a new one. Separately packaged needles are sold at the pharmacy.
- In a situation where the bubbles still got into the syringe, they are disposed of by whipping it. If the air still remains in the syringe and enters the body as a result of intramuscular injection, then this is not so scary, but it is advisable to avoid such cases. After the injection, air may be in the muscle or intercellular space, or in the vessel. For this reason, the capillary vessel may die, since it will be blocked by the very air that has entered it.
If the volume of air was greater, then in this case an “air infiltrate” will appear in the muscle, which is a seal, a bump. Symptoms and consequences are the same as with a normal infiltrate. It is also not dangerous, but rather unpleasant. Still, it is better to avoid getting air into the syringe with the medicine and inject according to the attached instructions for the drug.
By adhering to such simple at first glance rules, it is possible to carry out the entire injection procedure as painlessly and safely as possible - from opening the ampoule to directly introducing it to the patient.
An attack of headache (tooth, stomach) pain. A cure for it has long been invented - an ampoule with an analgesic, a syringe - and in 10 minutes life will again be filled with meaning. But when trying to extract the drug, we may expect an unpleasant surprise prepared by native pharmaceutical enterprises - it is not so easy to open an ampoule. A few minutes of desperate struggle, cursing the one who invented all this, the crack of breaking glass, the treatment of cut limbs with an antiseptic - and the road to a painless existence is free. A situation familiar to almost everyone. These unpleasant moments can be avoided if you know how to open the ampoule.
The modern pharmaceutical industry offers several types of glass packaging for injectables, which are opened in different ways.
History of the ampoule
And it all started in the 19th century. The opinions of historians regarding the inventor of the ampoule differ. Some believe that the Russian pharmacist A.V. Pel became the progenitor of the container. Western experts give the palm to the Frenchman Stanislav Limousin. But the fact is that in the 80s of the last century, a glass vessel with a narrow elongated neck and a wide base was invented, designed to store a sterile drug. The name of the container comes from the Greek word "amphora" - a vessel. Until now, domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers produce injectable forms in ampoules, painfully reminiscent of a 130-year-old "old woman".
Glass ampoule without notch
To successfully open a glass ampoule, it is necessary, armed with knowledge, to apply strength and sleight of hand. A conscientious manufacturer must complete the package with the preparation with a scarifier or a knife for ampoules. In this case, the buyer is lucky, and the algorithm of actions is standard:
- shake the ampoule;
- using a scarifier, file the neck of the ampoule, choosing the optimal distance from the top;
- wipe the place of the incision with alcohol;
- wrap the neck with cotton wool or a napkin and, in the “away from you” position, break off the filed tip of the ampoule.
Secondly, as an abrasive agent for opening the ampoule, use a nail file, after wiping it with alcohol.
Well, for those who are not looking for easy ways - the third, most cruel option is to wrap the container with the treasured medicine with cotton wool and break off its top, relying on chance. If, as a result of the efforts expended, the glass fragments did not get inside the container and did not scatter throughout the room, the first barrier was overcome. It remains to open the ampoule without spilling the medicine and the blood of the future patient. If you succeeded, you can consider yourself a virtuoso.
Glass ampoule with notch
According to European standards, ampoules must have a colored ring or break point. The glass at the break point is much thinner, and it is not difficult to open an ampoule with a dot. Having treated the ampoule with an antiseptic and armed with a napkin, you need to press on the notch and carefully break off the neck of the ampoule - that's the whole algorithm.
Dry powder bottle
Some drugs are not stable when dissolved and are available in powder form. Once you've become the proud owner of a bottle of dry powder, the task of opening it and extracting the medicine can turn into a puzzle.
First, a solvent is needed. Most often it is water for injection, anesthetic solution or isotonic solution. Sometimes manufacturers release it complete with the main drug. Otherwise, the solvent is purchased separately.
Secondly, you need a syringe.
Well, the process itself:
- it is necessary to draw the required volume of solvent into the syringe (for clarification, read the instructions for the preparation);
- remove the cap from the bottle (it can be metal, it is cut off with scissors or a knife, and plastic);
- under the top cover, find the bottom, rubber one, which you should not forget to wipe with alcohol;
- piercing the rubber cap with a syringe needle, inject the solvent into the vial;
- shake the vial thoroughly, make sure that all the drug has dissolved;
- draw the solution with the same syringe;
- change the needle on the syringe to a new, sterile one.
The disease sometimes creeps up unexpectedly. Oral administration of the drug is less effective than intravenous or intramuscular injections. After all, the speed of active substances in the blood is high. It is not always possible to go to the hospital to give an injection. In this case, it is important to know how to carry out the manipulation yourself. And the first stage is important - to open the ampoule correctly.
Follow simple algorithm when opening the ampoule:
- Read the instructions, pay attention to the expiration date of the drug.
- Inspect the ampoule for integrity. Shake her, because it is important that the medicine sinks to the bottom.
- Next, soak a cotton swab in alcohol and open the ampoule. Wrap the medicine container in a tissue to prevent cuts. Using light pressure, break off the narrow end of the ampoule.
- Draw up the solution with a syringe and needle. It is advisable to change the injection needle.
The situation is a little more complicated with ampoules without a notch. When buying a medicine, it is impossible to predict whether a vial with or without a notch will come across. Moreover, they are not marked in any way. In this case:
- Take a nail file. And file it at the transition point of the wide part to the narrow one.
- Or use a knife to score the narrow end.
- If these tools are not at hand, try to break the upper part by pressing with your thumb. Be careful, this method is risky as the ampoule breaks easily.
Opening an ampoule with a dry powder inside has its own characteristics. Purchase a diluent with this medicine. However, it is worth consulting a specialist about his choice. This is how lidocaine, novocaine, etc. are prescribed. Often preparations in the annotation contain information about compatibility with solvents.
Open the ampoule like this:
- Take a needle with a syringe, treat with an antiseptic and draw solvent with it.
- First, open the cap of the dry powder ampoule. Wipe the rubber cap of the jar with an antiseptic. Poke it with a needle and inject the solvent inside the ampoule.
- Shake the container well to get a homogenized solution.
- Change the needle and dial it for subcutaneous injection.
When you give injections to yourself or loved ones, follow simple rules to secure manipulation:
- Insert the needle into the ampoule so that its section is completely immersed in the solution.
- Do not touch the bottom of the ampoule with the tip of the needle if you are not going to change it. Since it dulls it, which causes pain when injected under the skin.
- It is still desirable to change the needle after taking the medicine into the syringe. Opt for thinner needles for direct insertion under the skin.
- If there are air bubbles in the syringe, they should be disposed of so that there are no bumps and bruises. Tap the syringe with your fingernail, lightly press the plunger to release air.
Learning how to give injections on your own is convenient. After all, at any time you may need help. The skill of opening ampoules quickly develops.
Sometimes it is necessary to inject at home. This may be an injection of vitamins, anti-anxiety drugs, or as prescribed by a doctor. It is not always possible to go to the clinic, where they know exactly how to open the ampoule and inject the drug. But how to protect yourself from mistakes and not harm by giving an injection at home?
How to open the ampoule correctly?
First of all, it is necessary to open the ampoule correctly. There are two types of ampoules according to the opening method:
- traditional, which require a notch on the neck;
- with a dot at the point where the glass cone was broken.
First you need to determine the type of ampoule. This is usually not written on the packaging. But a cursory glance at a glass flask is enough to understand whether it belongs to the traditional ones or not.
The dot can be black, red, or another color. If it is not on the neck, then to open it you need a special nail file, which is hidden under the top cover of the package. Such a nail file has the shape of a circle with a cut segment, the edges of which are coated with an abrasive material.
The ampoule opening sequence includes the following steps:
1) sawing is done with abrasive edges on one side of the neck;
2) without undue effort, it is carried out 3-4 times with a nail file along the selected side of the ampoule;
3) then it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad or ball in an antiseptic;
4) with one hand, the base of the cone with the medicine is held, and the thumb and forefinger of the second hand grasp the protrusion of the ampoule;
5) in order not to injure fingers, cotton wool is used;
6) a break is made by a sharp movement of the hand in the direction opposite to the one where there is a file.
Takova correct sequence opening a medical ampoule. However, the nail file can be lost. Then a nail file from a cosmetic set or a piece of sandpaper will serve as a replacement for it. Be sure to wipe the place of the file with alcohol or another antiseptic to prevent the ingress of microorganisms into the preparation.
We open the ampoule with a dot
Some manufacturers make more progressive solutions - with a marker. In this case, the opening process is simplified and includes the following steps:
- the cone marker is directed towards itself;
- the ampoule opens with a slight movement of the hand away from you.
In this case, it is not necessary to use cotton wool, since the risk of injury is minimal.
Then the drug is drawn into the syringe, air is released and an injection is made into the muscle. The injection site is disinfected beforehand. The solution is injected smoothly, after which the needle is removed, and a cotton ball is applied in its place.
An attack of headache (tooth, stomach) pain. A cure for it has long been invented - an ampoule with an analgesic, a syringe - and in 10 minutes life will again be filled with meaning. But when trying to extract the drug, we may expect an unpleasant surprise prepared by native pharmaceutical enterprises - it is not so easy to open an ampoule. A few minutes of desperate struggle, cursing the one who invented all this, the crack of breaking glass, the treatment of cut limbs with an antiseptic - and the road to a painless existence is free. A situation familiar to almost everyone. These unpleasant moments can be avoided if you know how to open the ampoule.
The modern pharmaceutical industry offers several types of glass packaging for injectables, which are opened in different ways.
History of the ampoule
And it all started in the 19th century. The opinions of historians regarding the inventor of the ampoule differ. Some believe that the Russian pharmacist A.V. Pel became the progenitor of the container. Western experts give the palm to the Frenchman Stanislav Limousin. But the fact is that in the 80s of the last century, a glass vessel with a narrow elongated neck and a wide base was invented, designed to store a sterile drug. The name of the container comes from the Greek word "amphora" - a vessel. Until now, domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers produce injectable forms in ampoules, painfully reminiscent of a 130-year-old "old woman".
Glass ampoule without notch
To successfully open a glass ampoule, it is necessary, armed with knowledge, to apply strength and sleight of hand. A conscientious manufacturer must complete the package with the preparation with a scarifier or a knife for ampoules. In this case, the buyer is lucky, and the algorithm of actions is standard:
- shake the ampoule;
- using a scarifier, file the neck of the ampoule, choosing the optimal distance from the top;
- wipe the place of the incision with alcohol;
- wrap the neck with cotton wool or a napkin and, in the “away from you” position, break off the filed tip of the ampoule.
Secondly, as an abrasive agent for opening the ampoule, use a nail file, after wiping it with alcohol.
Well, for those who are not looking for easy ways - the third, most cruel option is to wrap the container with the treasured medicine with cotton wool and break off its top, relying on chance. If, as a result of the efforts expended, the glass fragments did not get inside the container and did not scatter throughout the room, the first barrier was overcome. It remains to open the ampoule without spilling the medicine and the blood of the future patient. If you succeeded, you can consider yourself a virtuoso.
Glass ampoule with notch
According to European standards, ampoules must have a colored ring or break point. The glass at the break point is much thinner, and it is not difficult to open an ampoule with a dot. Having treated the ampoule with an antiseptic and armed with a napkin, you need to press on the notch and carefully break off the neck of the ampoule - that's the whole algorithm.
Dry powder bottle
Some drugs are not stable when dissolved and are available in powder form. Once you've become the proud owner of a bottle of dry powder, the task of opening it and extracting the medicine can turn into a puzzle.
First, a solvent is needed. Most often it is water for injection, anesthetic solution or isotonic solution. Sometimes manufacturers release it complete with the main drug. Otherwise, the solvent is purchased separately.
Secondly, you need a syringe.
Well, the process itself:
- it is necessary to draw the required volume of solvent into the syringe (for clarification, read the instructions for the preparation);
- remove the cap from the bottle (it can be metal, it is cut off with scissors or a knife, and plastic);
- under the top cover, find the bottom, rubber one, which you should not forget to wipe with alcohol;
- piercing the rubber cap with a syringe needle, inject the solvent into the vial;
- shake the vial thoroughly, make sure that all the drug has dissolved;
- draw the solution with the same syringe;
- change the needle on the syringe to a new, sterile one.
Quite often, a person finds himself in a situation where he needs to get an injection. When contacting a specialized medical institution with this manipulation, there are never any difficulties. Experienced medical worker knows how to open an ampoule, mix the solution with medicinal powder and prepare a syringe. However, many people are accustomed to self-treatment and prefer to inject at home, with the help of relatives.
If you are one of the patients who do not want to visit medical institutions to receive the next dose of the drug, then you probably had a question about how to open the drug ampoule yourself. Also, some cosmetic preparations are available in glass vials, for example, hair ampoules, vitamin preparations for the skin. Many women already easily carry out a series of manipulations and quickly get to the contents of a glass container. There are several ways to properly open the ampoule. Following the instructions, you can easily perform this maneuver. Let's consider several methods in detail.
The first way: using a file
Usually glass cones with medicinal or cosmetic preparations are sold in a package with a special file. Using it, you can easily get to the contents of the ampoule.
Hold the medicine in one hand. With the fingers of the second hand, firmly hold the file and make several reciprocating movements with the tool along the narrowest point of the glass container.
After that, you need to take a paper napkin or an unnecessary cloth and wrap it around the top of the glass. With a sharp but gentle movement away from you, break the glass and open the package.
The second way: the use of improvised means
Sometimes there are situations when the file for opening medicines is lost or was not originally available. What to do in this situation? How to open an injection ampoule without a file? In this case, you can use improvised means, for example, a knife, a nail file.
Similarly to the first method, take an ampoule and use the selected tool to make several notches on its neck in a narrow place. After that, open the preparation, after wrapping the glass with a napkin.
It should be noted that a nail file is a more effective tool for opening glass ampoules than a knife. However, it should be borne in mind that the material must be glass or metal. Paper nail files will be powerless in this situation.
How to open ampoules with a dot?
In recent years, more and more manufacturers of medicinal injections produce packaging that does not require pre-cutting. Information about this is usually not indicated on the packaging. How to find out that the ampoule can be opened without a file?
This type of glass container has a dot at the widest point of the neck. It can be red, green or black. Also, this type of injection has a rim of the corresponding color in the narrow part of the neck. It is for him that it is necessary to break the packaging.
Take the ampoule with a point in your hand. Cover the top of the glass with your other hand (don't forget the napkin). Make a sharp movement away from you and open the medicine.
How to open a dry powder ampoule?
In most cases, injection medicines are available in ready-made liquid form, but some drugs require pre-preparation. In this case, you will have two ampoules that need to be opened. One of them has a liquid content. How to open such a package, tell the methods described above.
The second glass container usually has a dry bulk content. The instruction suggests mixing these two bases. In order to get to the loose powder, you need to do the following.
Open the liquid vial and draw the medicine into the syringe. Open the second ampoule with any sharp object: a knife, scissors or a nail file. Pick up the corner of the metal cover with a tool and gently bend it. Insert the syringe needle into the ampoule by piercing the rubber cap. After this, it is necessary to mix the medicine thoroughly and draw it back into the syringe.
Conclusion
Use the option that suits you how to open the ampoule. For right choice try each of the described methods. Remember to be careful when working with glass.
If you often have to open ampoules, purchase a special silicone tool. It will help you open glass cones without injury and additional funds.
Before proceeding with the procedure, wipe the glass with cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution. This is necessary in order to prevent microbes from entering the drug.
For injections, drugs are used in special ampoules that reliably protect active substance from external influence. If its integrity is broken, we recommend not to use the drug and take an undamaged container.
In order to have access to the medicine, you must break the integrity of the ampoule. This must be done immediately before the injection, because if you do this earlier, the medication will lose its properties. After opening, the liquid is taken with a syringe and an injection is made.
How to open an ampoule with a break point
The procedure must be carried out as carefully as possible, otherwise you risk injuring yourself or accidentally pouring out the medicine. Each time you open the ampoule better and better, but before you start the procedure, use our tips.
Before the procedure, we advise you to protect your hands by wearing thin rubber gloves. Thanks to them, you can protect your palms and fingers from cuts and scratches. Surely you have seen more than once how doctors open an ampoule even without gloves, right? No wonder, because they have many years of experience.
You also need to prepare a place - it is better to do this while sitting, lay out a towel or cloth on the surface of the table.
First of all, carefully inspect the packaging in which the ampoules are located. Very often, the package already contains a convenient compact nail file for opening a glass container. How to open the ampoule in this case? It's simple - take a nail file and run it several times in the narrowest place. Once the glass is thin enough, you need to break the top off. That's all, the ampoule is open and the medicine is ready for use.
How to open an ampoule with a dot? Many mistakenly think that it needs to be cut exactly in the place where the point is located, but this is not so. It only indicates that you can break the ampoule without using any tools.
Take a closer look at the neck of the ampoule - in the thinnest place you will see a rim, this is the place of the break.
To prevent cuts, you need to cover the top of the ampoule with a tissue or cloth. Hold the container with one hand, and with the other, grasp the top and concentrate pressure on it, make a quick movement and break it off.
If there is no rim or break point on the ampoule, you will have to cope on your own. In order to remove the head, you need to take a knife or a thin metal nail file. Make several cuts in the same place. Then grab the top part and quickly break it off.
To prevent fragments from hitting you, try to keep the container as far away from you as possible. You also need to remove the top in the same direction - make a break not towards yourself, but away from you.
Everything, the medicine is ready to use! It remains only to draw it into a syringe and make an injection.
How to open an ampoule: video
In this video you will find some useful tips on how to open different types ampoules.
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