It is a 1000ml bottle that has a red warning label on the front which says Hypotonic and Hemolytic, not for injection. I'm thirsty and my uncle doesn't have a water filter on his sink nor do I have a car to get to the store to buy any bottled water. My uncle drinks tap water but I feel like it's too much germs in straight tap water so I don't want to drink it. I found 3 of these bottles in his kitchen cabinet. He has Alzheimer and doesn't remember how they got there but they're unopened and not expired. He's diabetic and also gets dialysis so maybe it was for some medical procedure he had a while ago. I don't have any medical problems and I just want to drink the water but I'm wondering if it's safe because I read online that hemolysis is a rupturing of red blood cells.
Can I drink Sterile Water for Irrigation USP? Bottle says exp 09/20. I'm not sick, just thirsty?
Question posted by SophieR on 26 Nov 2017
Last updated on 27 November 2017 by Stephen Treloar
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Answers
Hi Sophie, it is basically sterile de-mineralised/ionized water and is safe to drink albeit it tasteless. Tap water is treated so that bacteria will not live in it and is totally safe regardless of how you feel about it (otherwise it would be a frightening public health hazard). Well water and rain water tank water contains a host of microscopic pathogens and should never be considered totally safe. In many areas consumption of such water is unlawful.
If you were injecting it in sufficient quantities it would cause blood cell rupture as they would be unable to prevent filling with water. It is used in dialysis patients for blood volume and weight control as their bodies have no way of clearing salts, toxins or excess fluid. Your uncle must have a health worker who monitors him at home. Leave the water there, it probably is there for good reason. Lets face it, your Uncle probably did not buy it by himself.
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