New Improved Wheel Filter! STERIFILT - Harm Reduction by Apothicom
Sterifilt syringe filters are compatible with almost all syringes, either needleless or with fixed needle. The Sterifilt FAST (10 µm membrane) quickly eliminates insoluble particles from the mix to be injected. The Sterifilt+ (0,22 µm membrane) is the first antibacterial filter designed for Harm Reduction: besides insoluble particles, it also removes bacteria and fungi from the mix in one single step. Find out about their properties and the manipulations to use them properly and reduce risks and harm associated with injection.
Protection against
insoluble particles
Insoluble particles are present in almost all injected preparations, whether they are made of tablets and capsules (excipients) or street drugs (cutting agents). Once intravenously injected, these particles do not dissolve and therefore remain solid in the body. The risk particles involved in the onset of complications generally measure 10 to 20 µm.
WHAT KIND OF COMPLICATIONS?
In the short term, insoluble particles irritate and damage the veins. With a prolonged injection period, they will gradually disseminate and accumulate in the body, leading to pulmonary complications (such as pulmonary talcosis) and cardiac complications, or affecting other organs such as the eyes, liver or kidneys.
Sterifilt FAST and Sterifilt+ both eliminate insoluble particles very efficiently.
Elimination of
bacteria and fungi
Bacteria and fungi are two types of microorganisms that can cause infections, such as abscesses and other infections of the skin and soft tissues, but also more serious infections such as endocarditis.
WHERE DO THESE
MICROORGANISMS COME FROM?
Bacteria or fungi are present in almost all the mixes administered by people who inject drugs (PWID), for they are on the hands or in the mouth, on the preparation equipment and in non-sterile water, or in the drug itself.
THE ANTIBACTERIAL FILTRATION
OF STERIFILT+
Thanks to its 0.22-µm antibacterial membrane, Sterifilt+ removes bacteria and fungi from the solution to be injected in addition to insoluble particles.
The risk of viral transmission
While membrane filters like Sterifilt seem to be less reused and shared than cotton filters and other “makeshift” filters, they are not efficient against the risk of viral transmission. The only way not to expose oneself to it is to use sterile equipment for each injection and to not share it.