Retailer guide · checked 8 October 2026
Bac water at Walgreens: price, prescription and alternatives
Walgreens does not sell bac water off the shelf. Bacteriostatic water for injection is labelled "Rx only", so at Walgreens it is a pharmacy item: expect to be asked for a prescription, and expect smaller stores to order it in rather than hold it. Expect a cash price of roughly $24–$35 for a 30 mL vial.
Bac water (bacteriostatic water) is sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol (9 mg/mL) as a preservative, which lets one vial be drawn from more than once. This guide covers the Walgreens price, the prescription question, and how buying online from Direct Bac Water compares.
What does bac water cost at Walgreens?
Walgreens does not publish a shelf price for bacteriostatic water for injection, because it is filled at the pharmacy counter. Price-comparison sites put the average US retail cash price of a 30 mL vial at $23.76 (GoodRx) and $28.79 (Rx.com), and published price guides quote up to about $35. Expect to pay roughly $24–$35 for a 30 mL vial at Walgreens; the exact price depends on the store and ZIP code, so confirm it with the pharmacy.
| Source | 30 mL vial, retail cash price |
|---|---|
| GoodRx average retail price | $23.76 |
| Rx.com retail price | $28.79 |
| Published price guides | Up to about $35 |
Retail cash prices without a discount, checked 8 October 2026.
Do you need a prescription for bac water at Walgreens?
Expect to. The FDA label for Hospira bacteriostatic water for injection is marked "Rx only" on its vial and tray panels, and pharmacies fill Rx-only products against a prescription. The same label warns "NOT FOR USE IN NEONATES" because of the benzyl alcohol. Some buyers report Walgreens pharmacists stocking it inconsistently, so call the store before travelling.
Walgreens vs Direct Bac Water
| Walgreens | Direct Bac Water | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Pharmacy counter, in store | Online, shipped from US stock |
| Prescription | Expected (product is labelled Rx only) | Not asked at checkout; sold for laboratory research and the reconstitution of legal, physician-prescribed medications only |
| 30 mL vial | about $24–$35 cash price | $18.95, or $14.00 a vial in a 10-pack |
| Sizes | What the pharmacy stocks or orders, usually 30 mL | 3 mL, 10 mL, 30 mL and Hospira 30 mL |
| How fast | Same day if in stock; otherwise ordered in | Dispatched the same day before 1 pm ET (Mon–Fri); UPS Next Day Air available |
How to buy bac water at Walgreens
- Call the Walgreens pharmacy and ask whether it stocks bacteriostatic water for injection, and which size.
- Have the prescription sent to that store, or bring it with you.
- If it is not in stock, ask whether it can be ordered and when it will arrive.
- Ask for the cash price before paying.
Buying bac water online from Direct Bac Water instead
Direct Bac Water sells US-made bacteriostatic water in 3 mL, 10 mL and 30 mL vials and Hospira 30 mL, from $6.50 a vial and down to $11.49 per 30 mL vial in a 100-pack. Orders placed before 1 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday, ship the same business day by UPS or USPS, and standard delivery is free on orders over $200.
Bac water at Walgreens: questions
Does Walgreens sell bac water?
Walgreens pharmacies can dispense bacteriostatic water for injection, but it is not a shelf item. It is labelled "Rx only", so it is handled at the pharmacy counter, usually against a prescription, and stock varies from store to store.
How much is bac water at Walgreens?
Expect a cash price of roughly $24 to $35 for a 30 mL vial. GoodRx puts the average US retail price at $23.76 and Rx.com at $28.79 (checked 8 October 2026); the exact price depends on the store.
Can you buy bac water at Walgreens without a prescription?
Expect to be asked for one. The product is labelled "Rx only", and whether a Walgreens pharmacist dispenses it without a prescription is the pharmacist's decision.
Is it cheaper to buy bac water online?
A 30 mL vial costs roughly $24 to $35 as a cash price at a pharmacy. Direct Bac Water sells it for $18.95, or $14.00 a vial in a 10-pack, with free standard shipping over $200 and no pharmacy visit.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed: Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (Hospira, Inc.), package label "Rx only", "NOT FOR USE IN NEONATES". Checked 8 October 2026.
- GoodRx: average retail price of bacteriostatic water, $23.76. Checked 8 October 2026.
- Rx.com: retail price of bacteriostatic water, $28.79. Checked 8 October 2026.
- Published pharmacy price guides quoting up to about $35 for a 30 mL vial without a discount, 2026.
Pharmacy prices and stock change; this page is re-checked every month. Next review: 12 November 2026.