Glass is a great packaging material for both oral applications and injection preparations, among other things because of its:
Contrary to what is generally assumed, glass is not inert. Glass is made in three different grades, based primarily on the hydrolytic resistance of the glass (see e.g. Standard Procedures ISO 719):
As a general indication, Type I and Type II glass in particular are used in the production of human and veterinary preparations for injection, while type III glass is suitable for oral preparations. See also types of glass
To avoid glass corrosion (diffusion-controlled leaching (ion exchange) and hydrolytic glass-network decomposition), glass types with a higher hydrolytic resistance are used.