Sterile
vials 101
Shop by size
Select a size that fits your fill volume and headspace requirements.
Understanding vials
in sterile compounding
Vials are commonly used as primary packaging components for sterile preparations across hormone therapy, ophthalmic, nutraceutical, animal health, and other specialized applications. Selecting the appropriate vial and compatible closure components can help support container-closure performance, product protection, and intended filling and storage requirements.
Medisca offers two vial formats: ready-to-sterilize (RTS) vials, supplied non-sterile for in-house sterilization, and ready-to-use (RTU) vials, supplied pre-sterilized for use in accordance with applicable aseptic-processing procedures and facility requirements.
Choose the right vial
for your filling process
Select between open and closed vial formats based on your intended filling process.
Open vials are filled directly before being closed with a rubber stopper and aluminum seal. Available in both RTS and RTU formats, RTS open vials require in-house sterilization before use, while RTU open vials arrive pre-sterilized.
Closed vials arrive pre-sterilized on the inside with a stopper and aluminum seal in place. Available in RTU format, these vials are filled by puncturing the stopper with a sterile needle.
What are tubular
and molded vials?
Sterile glass vials are manufactured using two primary methods: tubular and molded. While both are designed to serve as primary packaging for sterile preparations, each offers different benefits depending on the application.
Tubular vials are made from Type I borosilicate glass tubing. Their uniform glass walls and high clarity support applications including sterile filling and freeze-drying (lyophilization).
Molded vials are made directly from molten glass. Their thicker walls provide added durability for applications where extra strength is needed.
What is blowback and
why does it matter?
Blowback refers to the shape of the vial neck where the stopper is seated. Vials are available with European blowback, American blowback, or no blowback, each with a distinct neck profile.
The blowback style influences how the stopper fits and is retained on the vial. Selecting the appropriate blowback style and compatible stopper helps support reliable filling, sealing, and overall container closure performance.
Build your
vial system
Start by selecting a non-sterile open vial with the neck design, size, and glass color that best suit your preparation. Blowback and no-blowback neck designs determine the compatible rubber stopper used during filling, while vial size and glass color should be selected based on your formulation, fill volume, and light protection requirements.
Scalable filling solutions
with EZ-fill® RTU vials
Through our partnership with Stevanato Group, Medisca offers EZ-fill® ready-to-use (RTU) vials to support aseptic filling workflows. Supplied pre-washed, depyrogenated, and sterilized, EZ-fill® vials arrive ready to use in accordance with applicable aseptic-processing procedures, helping reduce preparation and handling steps.
Available in Nest & Tub and Tray configurations, they support manual filling to automated production. Compatible with more than 30 fill-and-finish systems, EZ-fill® vials are designed to support scalable filling operations as production requirements evolve.
Complete your
vial setup
Find complementary components and equipment, from stoppers and seals to crimpers and filling tools, to support your vial filling and closure workflows.
Explore more
Discover additional sterile compounding resources, educational content, and product solutions designed to support your evolving practice needs.
Need help
getting started?
From regulatory compliance to expertise, we provide tailored solutions to elevate your compounding practice.