How I crack ampoules for injections without a nail file once or twice...

Until recently, I was convinced that opening an ampoule was extremely difficult. Especially if there is no file in the box. For some reason it seemed like the glass would burst and pierce my fingers. Or it will crumble and end up in the medicine. It turned out that everything was as simple as shelling pears. The ampoules are easily broken with bare hands! You just need to know how to take the bottle correctly and in which direction to break off the top.

Two types of ampoules

I was “lucky” to encounter two types of ampoules at once. One medicine had a dot on it, the second had no identifying marks at all. These were Dexamethasone and Dioxidin. And of course, in both packages there was no nail file - a scarifier. I think that's what it's called correctly.

If I had been prescribed injections, they could have been given in the hospital. Then you wouldn’t have to open the medicine yourself. I had to mix complex drops into my nose. You can't call a nurse for something like this. After searching for information a little, I found out that there are:

• Ampoules without a dot. A traditional, and in my opinion, completely ill-conceived type of ampoules. They should come with a scarifier for filing the neck. But in fact, manufacturers save money and do not always supply it.
• Ampoule with a dot. Improved variety. Easily opened by hand. The secret is that the glass is thin in a certain place. That is, it does not need to be thinned with a file. We simply break off the neck and draw up the medicine with a syringe.

Opening the ampoule with a dot

Maybe I’ll say something stupid, but the first thing I thought was that you need to pierce the point with a syringe and a needle and draw out the medicine like that (and that would be nice). Of course, nothing came of this. The point is needed for reference. When the neck breaks off, it is placed in front.

The dot marks the most vulnerable spot - the most fragile glass wall.

I’ll tell you in detail how I opened my “Dioxidin”:

1. First, we prepare: a sterile syringe, a damp alcohol wipe (alcohol with cotton wool), the ampoule we need.
2. Let's sit down more comfortably. I tried to open the medicine while standing. I concluded that sitting is much easier.
3. We take the ampoule with our left hand so that the point looks directly at us. The thumb is in front of the neck, all the rest are behind.
4. With our right hand we take the napkin and, without unfolding it, wrap it around the neck. We grasp it in the same way as the lower part - with the thumb forward.
5. Without squeezing the glass, we sharply move the brush back. That is, from myself. That's it, the ampoule is “hacked.”
6. We draw the medicine for injection into the syringe.

Imagine breaking a chocolate bar. Everything is exactly the same here.

Opening the ampoule without a dot

Opening ampoules for injections without a point is more difficult, but not much. You need to create that very weak spot on the neck that will crack. That is, file it down with a scarifier. Since it is not included with Dexamethasone, I found a way to do without a nail file. You'll be surprised how simple it is. No additional items will be needed.

Let's get down to the important task:

1. We put 2 ampoules, a damp cloth, and a syringe on the table.
2. We are conveniently located.
3. We take an ampoule in both hands.
4. We bring the bottom of the one in our right hand to the neck of the second.
5. We move the edge of the bottom along the narrowest place for 10 seconds (saw).
6. We hold the sawed ampoule so that the place of the cut is in front. We pinch it between the thumb and palm.
7. With your right hand we apply a napkin to the top. The thumb, again, is in front.
8. We break the ampoule from ourselves (like a chocolate bar).
9. We draw the contents into the syringe.

It is more difficult to open the last ampoule, since there is only one. Personally, I used a nail file (regular iron). I sawed the neck for the same amount of time. Those who don’t have a saw at home can arm themselves with:

• with a knife;
• scissors;
• sandpaper.

Some tips

With ampoules with a dot, everything is clear. They are the easiest to open. I'll give some advice about those without it:

• Save the scarifier if you find it in the box. Just in case. It is good to saw with the bottom, but it is better with a special file.
• If there is a stripe on the neck, cut exactly along it. This is the weakest point - the point of fracture. If there is no strip, make a notch at the base of the neck.
• There is no need to saw through the glass. It is enough for a small depression to appear on the glass.
• Hold the ampoule with the neck facing up. Otherwise the medicine will spill.

I know that many people are afraid to open ampoules at home. That's why I decided to share the subtleties. Doing this for the first time is scary. And from the second or third ampoule you begin to feel like a real nurse. Try it and don't be afraid. Even if something doesn't go according to plan, the glass will remain in the napkin. Good luck!