Ampules-all-about-

• Ampules

• Ampule – a small, hermetically sealed container that has a distinct, elongated neck.
• • Contains no preservative
  • Some drugs are only available in an ampule because of incompatibility with rubber or PVC components of vials
  • Parts of an Ampule
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• Parts of an Ampule: head, neck, shoulder, and body.
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• Break ring – a scored area on the neck that marks the site where a technician will break the glass to access the ampule’s contents.
• Opening an Ampule: safe opening of an ampule can be done with a piece of gauze, sterile 70% IPA swab or a ampule breaker a small plastic cap, placed over the head of an ampule.
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• • Hold the ampule upright, clear the medication from the head and neck.
• • Clean the neck of the ampule.
• • Hold the ampule in the non-dominant hand, grasping the head of the ampule with the dominant hand.
• • Exert firm but gentle pressure on the break ring to snap the ampule’s neck.
• Withdrawing Medication from an Ampule: hold the ampule upright; bevel down in the corner near the opening.
  
  
  When the ampule is nearly empty, tilt the ampule slightly to allow easier access to the remainder of the medication.
  
  
  A filter needle should be used when drawing medication out of an ampule to avoid glass fragments.
• Preparing a CSP with an Ampule’s Contents: similar to the process of preparation for a vial so that it can be checked by the pharmacist.

  
  

  • The pharmacist verifies the technicians work.

  • After verification the technician may proceed with the making of the CSP.

  • Lastly, the technician will need to check for leaks and signs of incompatibility and label the CSP for delivery.