Alcohol Swabs (Pack of 2)

$0.50 In stock

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.

A pack of 2 alcohol swabs: small pads the supplier says are wetted with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The BD Alcohol Swabs label, used here as a reference, lists 70% isopropyl alcohol as the antiseptic and water as the only other ingredient, for preparing skin before an injection and decreasing germs in minor cuts and scrapes.¹

Specifications

Pack size	2 swabs, each wrapped on its own
Active ingredient	Isopropyl alcohol 70% (supplier listing; 70% v/v on the BD reference label)¹
Inactive ingredient (BD reference label)	Water¹
Isopropyl alcohol	C3H8O, 60.10 g/mol, CAS 67-63-0, PubChem CID 3776²
US status (BD reference product)	Over-the-counter antiseptic drug under FDA's OTC monograph system¹
Ships from	USA
Category	Peptide Supplies
Storage	Room temperature, away from fire or flame (BD reference label).¹

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Guides and calculator

How to reconstitute a peptide vial
Reconstituting a lyophilized peptide step by step: the supplies, the diluent, the math and storage after mixing.
How subcutaneous injections are given
How prescribed subcutaneous injections are given: sites, rotation, sterile technique and sharps disposal, from clinical sources.
How to store peptides
How lyophilized and reconstituted peptides are stored: temperature, light, moisture and how long they keep, from manufacturer guidance.
Reconstitution calculator
Enter the peptide amount and the diluent volume and get the concentration per mL and per syringe unit. Shows the formula. For reference only.

What it is

An alcohol swab, also called an alcohol prep pad, is a small pad wetted with isopropyl alcohol and sealed in its own pouch. In the US these pads are sold as over-the-counter antiseptic drugs: DailyMed lists BD Alcohol Swabs, at 70% v/v isopropyl alcohol, under FDA's OTC monograph system, marketed since October 1, 1993.¹ The supplier does not name the brand of the swabs sold here, so label facts on this page describe that BD reference product.

That status has an open question attached. In a December 2017 final rule on health care antiseptics, a group that includes skin preparation before injections, FDA deferred action on isopropyl alcohol and five other ingredients to allow more safety and effectiveness studies. It made no "generally recognized as safe and effective" finding for them in that rule.³

How it is used

On a vial. CDC's checklist asks for the rubber septum to be disinfected with alcohol before any needle goes through it,⁴ and MedlinePlus describes cleaning a vial's rubber top with an alcohol pad before drawing from it.⁸ The reconstitution guide shows where that step falls, and the reconstitution calculator handles the concentration math afterward.

On skin before a prescribed injection, guidance differs. The MedlinePlus subcutaneous guide wipes the site with an alcohol pad in a circle moving outward from the injection point,⁷ and CDC's vaccine guidance cleans the injection site with a sterile alcohol swab, then lets it dry.⁵ The MedlinePlus insulin guide instead asks for clean, dry skin and says not to use an alcohol wipe on the site.⁶ The instructions for the prescribed product decide, and the injection guide sets out both approaches.

On hands: a separate step. CDC lists soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub for hand cleaning.⁵

Storage and disposal

The BD label marks the swabs flammable: keep them away from fire or flame, store them at room temperature, and keep them out of the reach of children. They are for external use only, not for the eyes or mucous membranes. Stop using them if irritation and redness develop, and see a doctor if it lasts more than 72 hours. If a swab is swallowed, the label says to get medical help or call a poison control center right away.¹ The needles and syringes used alongside the swabs go into a sharps disposal container right after use.¹⁰ How mixed peptides are kept is covered in the storage guide.

Frequently asked questions

Should the alcohol dry before a needle goes into the vial?

Yes. MedlinePlus says to let the wiped top dry and not to blow on it.⁶ CDC's Pink Book adds that alcohol evaporates fast, so it dries while the needle is made ready, and that wiping the stopper with friction using a sterile swab may help assure aseptic technique.⁵

Can I use alcohol swabs on cuts or wounds?

The BD Alcohol Swabs label used as our reference lists decreasing germs in minor cuts and scrapes as a use, next to preparing skin before an injection. It also says not to apply the swab to irritated skin and to consult a doctor for deep or puncture wounds.¹ The supplier lists cleaning small wounds or abrasions, but shows no Drug Facts label for the swabs sold here.

What should I do after an accidental needle stick?

After a stick from a needle someone else has used, FDA advises washing the spot at once with soap and water, or cleaning it with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer or another antiseptic, then getting medical care right away.⁹ Disposal steps that prevent sticks are in the injection guide.

Written by D2C Peptides Editorial Team.

Pending qualified review.

Updated October 25, 2026.