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Available Sizes

Dram Size	Volume	Common Use	Case Qty
6 dram	~22ml	Physician samples, very small fills	1,000/case
8 dram	~30ml	Sample dispensing, short fills	1,000/case
13 dram	~48ml	Standard fills, compounding applications	1,000/case
16 dram	~59ml	General dispensing, non-CR protocols	1,000/case
20 dram	~74ml	Capsule and tablet fills	1,000/case
30 dram	~111ml	High-volume fills, veterinary use	1,000/case
40 dram	~148ml	Bulk dispensing	1,000/case
60 dram	~222ml	Large-format dispensing	500/case

Who Uses Snap Cap Vials

Snap cap vials serve a different buyer profile than the child-resistant vials in Brigade's catalog. The primary users are:

Veterinary pharmacies and clinics are the largest non-retail users. Because PPPA CR requirements do not apply to animal medications, snap caps are the default format across veterinary compounding, veterinary hospital dispensing, and animal clinic sample packaging.

Compounding pharmacies use snap cap vials extensively for in-house production workflows — intermediate ingredient storage, QC sampling, and bulk preparation containers — where the snap cap vial is not the final dispensing container.

Hospital and clinic outpatient pharmacies use snap cap vials for physician sample distribution and for medication supplied to inpatient units where CR packaging is not required by the clinical setting.

Research and laboratory facilities use snap cap vials for sample storage, reagent staging, and reference standard packaging, where pharmaceutical dispensing regulations do not apply.

Retail pharmacies use snap cap vials selectively for patients with documented non-CR waivers on file, and for dispensing PPPA-exempt drug categories where snap caps are compliant.

Snap Cap Vials vs. Child-Resistant Pharmacy Vials

Snap cap vials are one of five dispensing vial formats Brigade Packaging stocks. The key distinction is child-resistance status:

Vial Type	CR Compliant?	Mechanism	Best For
Snap Cap	No	Press-and-pop	Veterinary, physician samples, PPPA-exempt, documented non-CR waiver
Pop Top	Yes	Sequential push-then-turn	Standard retail pharmacy, cannabis dispensary, high-volume
Reversible Cap	Yes / Switchable	Flip cap — CR or easy-open	Mixed patient populations, elderly and arthritis patients
Push-and-Turn	Yes	Simultaneous push and rotate	Maximum CR, controlled substance protocols
Thumb Tab	Yes / Switchable	Side-tab lift — no downward force	Severe dexterity limitations, cannot grip or press

When Are Snap Cap Vials Legally Appropriate?

The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), enforced by the CPSC, requires child-resistant packaging for most oral prescription medications dispensed to retail patients in the United States. Snap cap vials, which are not child-resistant, are only appropriate in the following specific circumstances:

Patient non-CR waiver on file. A patient or their authorized representative may request non-child-resistant packaging in writing. The pharmacist must document this request in the dispensing record and note it on the prescription label. The waiver covers all prescriptions for that patient unless revoked, or it can be applied per-prescription. For households with children under 5, pharmacists are advised to counsel patients on the risks of non-CR dispensing before accepting a waiver.

PPPA-exempt medications. Certain drug categories are explicitly exempt from PPPA child-resistance requirements, including sublingual nitroglycerin tablets, erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules in unit-dose packaging, and some OTC preparations. Confirm current PPPA exemption status with your state board before switching to non-CR packaging for any specific drug class.

Physician sample dispensing. Medications provided as free physician samples — not dispensed at retail — are generally not subject to retail PPPA dispensing requirements. Snap cap vials are widely used for sample packaging in clinical settings.

Veterinary pharmacy dispensing. Medications dispensed exclusively for animal use are not covered by PPPA child-resistance requirements. Veterinary compounding pharmacies routinely use snap cap vials for this reason.

Non-retail medical contexts. Compounding pharmacies dispensing into intermediate storage containers (not the final take-home container), laboratory sample storage, and research applications are not subject to retail PPPA dispensing rules. When in doubt, your state board of pharmacy is the authoritative source. State regulations can be more restrictive than federal PPPA minimums.

Amber Snap Cap Vials

Amber snap cap vials provide UV protection for light-sensitive formulations in non-CR dispensing contexts. For compounding pharmacies dispensing UV-sensitive preparations where CR packaging is not required, amber snap cap gives you UV protection without the CR mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a snap cap vial?

A snap cap vial is a plastic pharmacy container with a cap that presses on and pops off without any rotation or locking mechanism. Snap cap vials are not child-resistant and are intended only for legally permitted non-child-resistant dispensing situations.

What medications are PPPA-exempt and can be dispensed in snap cap vials?

Certain medications and packaging formats are exempt under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), including specific nitroglycerin tablets, cholestyramine powders, and selected unit-dose products. Pharmacies should always verify current exemption status with applicable regulations before changing dispensing protocols.

Can I use snap cap vials for standard retail prescription dispensing?

Only with documented patient authorization or for PPPA-exempt medications. Most retail prescriptions require child-resistant packaging under federal regulations.

For child-resistant retail dispensing, use pop top vials for standard child-resistant retail dispensing .

Can snap cap vials be used in veterinary pharmacy?

Yes. PPPA child-resistance requirements generally apply to medications dispensed for human use, not veterinary-only dispensing. Veterinary pharmacies and clinics commonly use snap cap vials because they are faster to operate and do not require child-resistant functionality.

Are snap cap vials appropriate for compounding pharmacies?

Yes, in certain contexts such as intermediate storage, sampling, physician-dispensed products, and internal production workflows. If the vial is dispensed directly to a retail patient, standard child-resistant packaging regulations still apply unless an exemption or waiver is documented.

For documented non-child-resistant use with flexibility, consider reversible cap vials for documented non-CR dispensing with easy-open option .

What is the difference between snap cap vials and reversible cap vials?

Snap cap vials are entirely non-child-resistant and open with a simple press-and-pop motion. Reversible cap vials can switch between child-resistant and easy-open modes, making them more suitable when both dispensing options may be required.

What is the difference between snap cap and push-turn vials?

Snap cap vials are not child-resistant and open with simple upward pressure. Push-turn vials require simultaneous pushing and turning and meet CPSC child-resistant standards.

What colors are snap cap vials available in?

Snap cap vials are commonly available in amber, blue, and green across standard dram sizes. Amber provides UV protection for light-sensitive formulations.

Are snap cap vials resealable?

Yes. Snap cap vials can be opened and reclosed multiple times while maintaining their friction-fit closure. Tamper-evident shrink bands may also be used when required.

Do you stock amber snap cap vials?

Yes. Amber snap cap vials are stocked across standard sizes and are commonly used for UV-sensitive formulations in non-child-resistant dispensing applications.

What is the minimum order?

Standard case quantities are typically 1,000 units per case for most sizes, with no minimum order beyond a single case.

Also consider

Pop Top Vials (CR, Script-Pro compatible) | Reversible Cap Vials (CR with easy-open mode) | Push-and-Turn Vials (CR, added security)

For maximum safety, also explore push-and-turn vials for maximum child-resistance.

For brand-specific packaging, check out our Prefer brand vials.

Snap Cap Vials Whole sale Price

Snap Cap Convenience: Our Snap Cap Vials are equipped with a user-friendly snap-on cap, ensuring easy opening and secure closure. This design facilitates quick and hassle-free access to medications while maintaining the integrity of the stored contents.