Vitamin K injection is a synthetic version of naturally occurring vitamin K. It's used to stop the bleeding associated with excessive doses of the blood thinner, warfarin. It's also used to treat low levels of clotting factors caused by certain antibacterial therapy and vitamin K deficiency resulting from impaired absorption or production.
Phytonadione
Phytonadione is a synthetic form of vitamin K. It is the active ingredient in a vitamin K injection. There is 1 mg of phytonadione in each 0.5 ml. Phytonadione may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously--under the skin.
Polysorbate 80
Vitamin K injections also contain polysorbate 80. However, it is an inactive ingredient or excipient, meaning it doesn't produce any therapeutic effect. Polysorbate 80 is used as a stabilizer or emulsifier for the vitamin K injection solution.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol, a chemical also found in antifreeze, is another inactive ingredient in the vitamin K injection. It is a thick, colorless liquid that has been added to the vitamin k injection solution as a solvent.
Sodium Acetate/Glacial Acetic Acid
Sodium acetate and glacial acetic acid are both inactive ingredients in Vitamin K injections. They are used as buffers to maintain a specific pH.
References
- Drugs.com: Phytonadione Prescribing Information
- "Drug Information Handbook"; Charles Lacy, Lora Armstrong, Morton Goldman, Leonard Lance; 2008
- Medical Dictionary
- Muby Chemicals
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