Safer injecting: Antibacterial filters

Filtering drugs before injection is a common practice: it makes it possible to eliminate certain impurities from the product to be injected.

Different types of filters are often used:

• Makeshift filters (cigarette filters, cotton balls, etc.), which are not sterile and somewhat ineffective,
• Sterile cotton filters, which eliminate up to 90% of so-called "insoluble" particles,
• Membrane filters, which are attached directly to the syringe and eliminate all insoluble particles. Some membrane filters also eliminate bacteria.

What are antibacterial filters?

These filters are equipped with a 0.2 µm membrane. This membrane makes it possible to eliminate everything larger than 0.2 µm, including:

• Bacteria, which measure between 0.5 µm and 10 µm,
• Microscopic fungi (yeast, etc.), which measure approx. 10 µm,
• Insoluble particles, which measure between 10 µm and 25 µm.

Sterifilt+, created by Apothicom, is the first antibacterial filter developed for people who inject drugs.

Sources of bacterial contamination in solutions to be injected

Bacteria can originate from:

• The hands or mouth of the person preparing the solution – Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently found bacterium in cases of infections associated with injections,
• The equipment used for the preparation, if it is not sterile,
• The drug itself.

Risks related to the injection of bacteria

Bacteria present in the solution can penetrate the tissues and blood when injected.

These bacteria can cause abscesses, and infections at varying depths beneath the skin. They can then migrate through the bloodstream and affect various organs, causing potentially serious infections, notably within the heart known as infective endocarditis.

Antibacterial filters, such as Sterifilt+, are the only filters that make it possible to avoid these risks.

Reasons to recommend Sterifilt+ by Apothicom

Effectiveness

Sterifilt+ eliminates all insoluble particles, bacteria, and fungi from the solution to be injected, making it sterile and clear.

It does not eliminate the active substance : filtration does not weaken the desired effect of the injection.

Ease of use

LSterifilt+ makes it possible to filter the solution to be injected in a single step, unlike wheel filters, which require several steps. The filtration process only takes a few seconds.

Sterifilt+ easily allows for the filtration of both powders and crushed pills.

Universal compatibility with all syringes

Sterifilt+ can be used with:

• Luer Slip syringes without needle,
• Most 1 ml fixed needle syringes (such as those used for insulin).

A new Sterifilt+ compatible with Luer Lock syringes will be available soon.