Users report mixed experiences with vial spikes on small vials. Some see value for frequent draws to limit stopper damage, while others note added contamination risk from larger openings and question the cost. Most agree insulin syringes remain simpler for occasional use, and spikes work better on larger multi-dose bottles like bacteriostatic water.
What this discussion establishesWhether spikes meaningfully lower contamination risk compared with careful needle use, or actually raise it due to the open port design.
Still openLong-term contamination data or study references for these devices on small vials.
Nothing here is advice.
Found one of these through a clinic I'm involved with, and saw they offer 3ml versions online. Curious whether anyone has tried them on the 3ml bottles with luer pins.
I've used vial spikes with luer connectors that stay closed without a syringe attached, similar to an IV port. Haven't tried ones with an open luer connection for 3 ml vials. Costs quite a bit per vial and contamination risk seems high. Would want to check studies first.
The version I have for 10 ml vials has a plunger you push down with force using the luer before drawing. The pictures do make it look unsealed though. I keep rubber caps for my vials so you could draw then swap the cap back on.
You can also get alcohol caps from a couple places online.
I filtered GHK-Cu into a 3ml vial. With daily pins a vial spike would have been handy. For something used once a week or so, plastic just adds to waste.
I don't get why anyone would bother with something else. Those insulin needles cost almost nothing and take no effort to handle at all.
I looked at them briefly but they only seem worthwhile if you're doing lots of draws from one vial. Even then an injection pen might be more practical.
This doesn't replace the insulin syringe. It's a vial spike meant to avoid repeated piercing of the stopper, which should cut down on coring and lower contamination chances.
Negative. The top has threading for a luer lock syringe, so the device is meant to skip the drawing needle entirely. It doesn't reduce contamination risk and may increase it because of the bigger opening and harder-to-sanitize surface. These don't work with insulin syringes and don't add protection.
I only use a vial spike on my BAC bottle. Draw with a luer lock syringe, switch to a long needle for reconstitution, then draw the whole vial, filter into a new sterile vial, and cap the port. They make sense for larger multi-use bottles used often, but for occasional big bottles I'd rather keep punctures small with a regular needle.
I use one with two slots and find it very useful especially when I need to take it along.
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