Prescription vials play a crucial role in the safe storage and dispensing of medications. They come in various types, each designed to cater to specific needs and requirements. In this blog, we will explore the different types of prescription vials available in the market, including child-resistant vials, reversible vials, veterinary vials, snap cap vials, and thumb tab vials. Additionally, we will discuss the different color options that are generally used such as amber, green, and blue. If you are a pharmaceutical or a nutraceutical business and are looking to understand which pharmacy vials are better, or you are someone who simply wants to make the right choice for your medications, you have come to the right place. 

Types of Prescription Vials

There are many different types of pharmacy vials that are used in the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical industries. Here are the 6 most common types that serve various purposes,

1. Child-Resistant Vials:

• Child-resistant vials are designed to prevent accidental ingestion by young children, ensuring medication safety in households.
• These vials typically feature a push-and-turn mechanism that requires dexterity and strength to open, reducing the risk of children accessing potentially harmful substances.

Example: Child-resistant prescription vials with a safety cap that can only be opened by pushing down and rotating simultaneously. 

      2. Reversible Vials:

• Reversible vials are versatile and offer two different types of closures.
• They allow users to choose between a child-resistant closure for added safety or a non-child-resistant closure for convenience.

Example: Prescription vials with a reversible cap can be flipped to switch between child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes.

     3. Safety Vials:

• Safety vials are specifically designed to enhance patient safety by preventing unauthorized access to medications.
• They often incorporate features such as lockable caps or combination locks, ensuring the contents are secure.

Example: Prescription vials with a combination lock feature, requiring a specific sequence of numbers to open.

      4. Veterinary Vials:

• Veterinary vials are tailored to meet the unique requirements of medications for animals.
• These vials often come in larger sizes and may have specialized closures to suit the needs of veterinarians and pet owners.

Example: Veterinary prescription vials with larger capacities and tamper-evident caps suitable for pet medications.

      5. Snap Cap Vials:

• Snap cap vials are designed for easy and quick access to medications without compromising security.
• They feature a snap-on closure that provides a tight seal and can be easily opened and closed with one hand.

Examples: Prescription vials with a snap-on cap can be helpful for the elderly, allowing convenient access to medications while maintaining freshness.

     6. Thumb Tab Vials:

• Thumb tab vials are user-friendly and ideal for individuals with limited dexterity or strength.
• These vials feature a tab on the cap that can be easily pushed or pulled using a thumb or finger.

Examples: Prescription vials with a large thumb tab on the cap, facilitating easy opening for those with mobility challenges.

Vials Depot provides high-quality prescription vials created with a patent-pending design which has one-click press down tab and turn benefit making it very user friendly. 

Sizes of Prescription Vials

Prescription vials come in various sizes to accommodate different quantities of medications. One common unit of measurement used to determine the capacity of vials is a dram. A dram is equal to one-eighth of a fluid ounce, and is a unit of volume historically used in the pharmacy and medical fields. Let's explore some common sizes of prescription vials and their corresponding dram measurements:

• 8 Dram Vials: An 8 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 30 milliliters (ml) or 1 fluid ounce (fl oz). 
• 10 Dram Vials: A 10 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 37 milliliters (ml) or 1.25 fluid ounces (fl oz). 
• 13 Dram Vials: A 13 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 48 milliliters (ml) or 1.6 fluid ounces (fl oz). 
• 16 Dram Vials: A 16 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 60 milliliters (ml) or 2 fluid ounces (fl oz). 
• 20 Dram Vials: A 20 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 75 milliliters (ml) or 2.5 fluid ounces (fl oz). 
• 35 Dram Vials: A 35 dram pharmacy vial has a capacity of approximately 130 milliliters (ml) or 4.4 fluid ounces (fl oz). 

It's important to note that dram measurements are approximate and can vary slightly based on the specific design and manufacturer of the vials. When selecting prescription vials, consider the required capacity based on the prescribed dosage and quantity of the medication. Vials Depot offers a variety of prescription vial sizes with customization options for branding, including 8 dram, 10 dram, 13 dram, 16 dram, 20 dram, and 35 dram options, ensuring that you can find the right size for your specific needs.

Colors of Prescription Vials

It's important to note that specific color associations and usage of prescription vials may vary depending on local regulations, industry practices, and individual preferences. Always consult with industry guidelines and regulations when selecting prescription vials for specific purposes. Here are few common colors that pharmacy vials are available in,

1. Amber Pharmacy Vials: Amber vials provide protection against light exposure, helping to preserve the integrity of light-sensitive medications. Vials Depot manufactures and supplies amber prescription vials that are made from pharmaceutical-grade virgin polymer and can be easily recycled. 
2. Green Pharmacy Vials: Green vials are commonly used in the cannabis industry for the storage and packaging of cannabis products. The green color helps to protect the contents from light exposure, which can degrade the quality of cannabis products by breaking down cannabinoids and terpenes. Green vials offer a solution to prevent degradation and preserve the potency of cannabis medications, ensuring that patients receive the desired therapeutic effects.
3. Blue Pharmacy Vials: The blue color can act as a visual cue, reminding patients to take their prescribed medications orally. It serves as a helpful indicator, particularly for individuals who may have multiple medications and need to differentiate between oral medications and other dosage forms.

In conclusion, understanding the different types of prescription vials available is crucial for selecting the right one that suits your specific requirements. Whether you need child-resistant vials for household safety or reversible vials for convenience, Vials Depot offers a wide range of high-quality prescription vials with customization options, making it the ideal choice for your pharmacy needs. Pharmacies can customize their vials with their logo or brand name to create a unique and recognizable visual identity. This branding strategy helps to enhance brand visibility and promotes brand recognition among customers. Vials Depot also provides wholesale options, making it an excellent choice for pharmacies and medical facilities requiring large quantities of prescription vials. Learn more about us and contact us today with any special requirements!