Where to Buy 23-Gauge Butterfly Needles in the U.S.: Top Medical Supply Stores and Distributors

Summary

• U.S. healthcare supply distributors and medical-supply retailers commonly offer 23-gauge butterfly needles from manufacturers such as BD, Terumo, Greiner Bio-One, and Nipro.
• Product availability, needle length, tubing length, safety mechanism, connector type, sterile packaging, and minimum-order requirements vary substantially by seller.
• Buyers should verify product specifications, FDA status, expiration dates, shipping conditions, and organizational purchasing requirements before ordering.

Understanding 23-Gauge Butterfly Needles

A 23-gauge butterfly needle is a winged blood-collection or short-term Venipuncture device used when a conventional straight needle or intravenous catheter is less suitable. The device generally includes a small needle, flexible tubing, two plastic wings for stabilization, and a luer or blood-collection connection. In the United States, 23-gauge butterfly needles are frequently used for patients with small, fragile, or difficult-to-access veins, including pediatric patients, older adults, and some outpatient laboratory patients.

The term “23-gauge” describes the outside diameter of the needle. A higher gauge number generally indicates a smaller needle diameter. A 23-gauge needle is smaller than a 21-gauge needle but larger than a 25-gauge needle. Butterfly needles are also sold in several needle lengths, commonly approximately three-quarters of an inch to one inch, with tubing lengths that may range from several inches to more than a foot.

Buyers should not assume that every product labeled “butterfly needle” is interchangeable. Two 23-gauge products may differ in whether they are safety-engineered, compatible with evacuated blood-collection tubes, intended for infusion, supplied with a pre-attached holder, or designed for connection to a syringe. These differences affect clinical use, purchasing cost, inventory management, and compliance with workplace safety rules.

U.S. Stores and Distributors That Commonly Carry 23-Gauge Butterfly Needles

The following U.S. medical supply companies commonly list 23-gauge butterfly needles or winged blood-collection sets. Inventory changes frequently, so purchasers should search the seller’s current catalog using terms such as “23G butterfly needle,” “23 gauge winged infusion set,” “23G blood collection set,” or the manufacturer’s catalog number.

McKesson Medical-Surgical

McKesson Medical-Surgical is one of the largest healthcare distribution businesses serving hospitals, physician practices, laboratories, long-term-care organizations, and other healthcare facilities in the United States. Its catalog commonly includes winged blood-collection sets and safety butterfly needles from major manufacturers.

McKesson is usually most appropriate for established healthcare organizations with business accounts, purchase orders, and recurring supply needs. Product listings may include choices such as 23-gauge needles with different tubing lengths, safety shields, adapters, and packaging quantities. Some products may be available only to approved healthcare customers or through a contracted purchasing arrangement.

Because McKesson’s catalog is broad and account-specific, a buyer should confirm whether the selected item is a 23-gauge needle, whether the safety mechanism is integrated, and whether a tube holder is included. A product description that says “winged set” may not include every accessory needed for a particular blood-draw procedure.

Medline

Medline is a major U.S. medical-supply manufacturer and distributor with products used in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, laboratories, home-care organizations, and public-health settings. Medline’s offerings commonly include blood-collection needles, winged infusion sets, safety devices, holders, and related phlebotomy supplies.

Medline is particularly useful for organizations attempting to standardize supplies across multiple clinical locations. A purchasing department may be able to consolidate butterfly needles with evacuated tubes, tourniquets, alcohol prep pads, gauze, labels, sharps containers, and other products under one account.

When reviewing a Medline listing, buyers should examine the gauge, needle length, tubing length, connector style, safety activation method, and case quantity. The catalog may contain several products that appear similar in a search result but are intended for different applications.

Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health Medical Products and Services supplies hospitals, integrated delivery networks, laboratories, physician practices, and other healthcare organizations. Its medical-surgical catalog commonly includes blood-collection products, including winged needles and safety-engineered alternatives.

Cardinal Health is generally oriented toward institutional and professional purchasing rather than occasional consumer orders. Availability can depend on contract pricing, regional distribution centers, customer credentials, and the buyer’s approved product list. A facility may also have access to private-label products in addition to nationally recognized brands.

Organizations purchasing through Cardinal Health should compare the manufacturer’s product identifier with the internal purchasing number. This is important because a change in packaging or contract substitution can result in a different tubing length, needle bevel, or safety design even when the description appears similar.

Henry Schein Medical

Henry Schein Medical serves dental, medical, specialty, and outpatient healthcare practices. Its catalog commonly contains phlebotomy supplies, including butterfly needles and blood-collection sets in multiple gauges. The company is often a practical option for physician offices, specialty practices, ambulatory centers, and smaller clinics that need professional-grade supplies without operating a large hospital purchasing department.

Henry Schein listings may include products from widely used manufacturers such as BD, Terumo, Greiner Bio-One, and other medical-device companies. Buyers should check whether the product is sold by the box or case and whether the listing represents a needle only, a winged blood-collection set, or a complete set with a holder.

Vitality Medical

Vitality Medical is a U.S.-based online medical-supply retailer that serves healthcare facilities, professionals, caregivers, and individual customers. Its catalog commonly includes butterfly needles and winged infusion sets in 23-gauge configurations.

Online medical retailers such as Vitality Medical can be useful when a buyer needs a smaller quantity than the case sizes typically offered by hospital distributors. Product pages may make it easier to compare brands, needle lengths, tubing configurations, safety features, and package counts.

Buyers should carefully read the item description before ordering. A product may be listed under a general “butterfly needle” category while the specific option selected is 21 gauge, 25 gauge, or a different needle length. The final order confirmation should identify 23G or 23 gauge explicitly.

Allegro Medical

Allegro Medical is an established online retailer of medical, rehabilitation, home-care, and clinical supplies. It commonly carries phlebotomy products, including winged needles and blood-collection sets. The company can be an option for smaller medical offices, Mobile Phlebotomy services, training programs, and buyers who do not require a large distributor contract.

As with other online retailers, the buyer should compare the per-unit price rather than relying only on the displayed package price. A box of 50 may initially appear less expensive than a box of 25, but shipping charges, handling charges, and minimum-order thresholds can change the total cost.

Mountainside Medical Equipment

Mountainside Medical Equipment is an online medical-supply retailer that commonly lists needles, syringes, blood-collection supplies, and other clinical products. Its catalog may include 23-gauge butterfly needles from recognized manufacturers or compatible product lines.

This type of retailer may be useful for purchasers seeking a limited quantity, replacement stock, or an item that is not readily available through a local supplier. Buyers should confirm whether the listing is for a sterile, single-use device and whether the product is intended for Venipuncture, infusion, or another application.

CIA Medical

CIA Medical supplies medical, laboratory, dental, and emergency-care products to professional and institutional buyers. Its catalog may include butterfly needles, blood-draw accessories, safety products, and related Phlebotomy Equipment.

Buyers comparing CIA Medical with other retailers should evaluate manufacturer, regulatory labeling, package quantity, shipping time, and return policy. A low unit price is not necessarily the best value if the product has a short remaining shelf life or cannot be returned after the sterile package is opened.

Discount Medical Supplies

Discount Medical Supplies is another U.S. online source that may carry winged blood-collection sets and 23-gauge butterfly needles. Online discount suppliers are often attractive to small practices, independent phlebotomists, home-health agencies, and educational programs that need professional supplies but have lower-volume purchasing requirements.

Purchasers should determine whether the seller is an authorized distributor for the brand being offered. They should also inspect the listing for lot information, expiration-date policies, sterile packaging details, and the identity of the fulfillment company. These checks are especially important when buying products through a marketplace or from a third-party seller.

Medicaleshop

Medicaleshop is a U.S. online medical-supply retailer that may offer blood-draw equipment and winged needle products. It can serve as an additional source for comparing 23-gauge products, case quantities, and shipping options.

Before placing an order, buyers should verify the Needle Gauge in the variant menu rather than relying solely on the product title. Some listings group several gauges into one page, and the default option may not be 23 gauge.

Amazon Business and Other Online Marketplaces

Amazon Business and other online marketplaces may list 23-gauge butterfly needles from medical-device manufacturers, distributors, and third-party sellers. These marketplaces can provide convenient price comparisons and multiple package sizes, but they require more careful seller verification than a direct purchase from a recognized medical distributor.

Healthcare organizations should check the seller’s business identity, product photographs, catalog number, manufacturer information, packaging condition, and return terms. A listing that uses a familiar brand name may not be fulfilled by the manufacturer or an authorized distributor. Counterfeit, diverted, expired, or improperly stored medical devices can create patient-safety and compliance concerns.

Manufacturers Commonly Found in U.S. Catalogs

The specific retailer matters, but the manufacturer and product design matter just as much. Several brands commonly appear in U.S. medical-supply catalogs.

1. BD: BD Vacutainer winged blood-collection sets and safety-engineered products are widely recognized in clinical laboratories and hospitals. Product configurations may include 23-gauge needles, tubing, pre-attached holders, or separate holder options.
2. Terumo: Terumo blood-collection and infusion products are commonly used in healthcare settings. Its winged sets may be available in multiple gauges, lengths, and safety configurations.
3. Greiner Bio-One: Greiner Bio-One produces blood-collection systems and accessories used with evacuated tube systems. Its products may be distributed through laboratory and medical-supply channels.
4. Nipro: Nipro manufactures needles and other medical devices, including products distributed for blood collection and clinical use.
5. Other private-label brands: Large distributors may offer private-label or contract-manufactured butterfly needles. These can be suitable when the product has appropriate labeling, quality documentation, and facility approval.

Brand recognition alone does not determine suitability. A product should be assessed against the facility’s procedure, patient population, staff training, safety policy, and blood-collection system. For example, a 23-gauge needle with a short tube may be preferable in one setting, while a longer tube may be needed for certain collection workflows.

What to Check Before Buying

Gauge and Needle Length

The order should clearly state 23 gauge or 23G. Buyers should also verify the needle length, which is a separate specification. Many butterfly needles are available with needle lengths around three-quarters of an inch or one inch, but exact dimensions vary by manufacturer.

Needle selection should be made under the direction of qualified clinical personnel. Gauge choice can depend on vein size, patient age, the type of specimen being collected, the required blood flow, and the procedure being performed. A purchasing employee should not substitute a different gauge simply because it is cheaper or more readily available.

Safety Features

Federal workplace-safety rules strongly influence the purchase of needles in U.S. healthcare settings. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to use engineering and work-practice controls to reduce occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. The standard also requires employers to consider and document safer medical devices where appropriate and to involve affected employees in the selection process.

For that reason, many facilities prefer safety butterfly needles with a mechanism that covers or otherwise protects the needle after use. Designs vary. Some safety mechanisms are activated by sliding a shield, pressing a button, or engaging a hinged cover. Staff should receive training on the specific device selected.

OSHA and occupational-health literature have historically estimated hundreds of thousands of needlestick and other percutaneous injuries among U.S. healthcare workers each year. Older national estimates frequently cited approximately 600,000 to 800,000 Needlestick Injuries annually, although the exact number is difficult to determine because reporting practices differ and many injuries go unreported. More recent surveillance studies also show that injury risk varies by profession, procedure, device, and clinical environment.

Connector and Holder Compatibility

A butterfly set may use a luer connection, a pre-attached blood-collection holder, or another configuration. If the clinic uses evacuated blood tubes, the buyer must determine whether the product can connect to the facility’s existing holder and collection system.

Some products are sold as a needle and tubing assembly only. Others are supplied as a complete blood-collection set. Purchasing an incomplete configuration can create unexpected costs and Workflow delays, so the description should be reviewed for terms such as “holder included,” “pre-attached holder,” “luer adapter,” or “collection set.”

Sterility and Single Use

Butterfly needles used for Venipuncture are generally sterile, single-use medical devices. The package should be intact and clearly labeled with lot information, sterilization information, and an expiration date or use-by date where applicable.

Facilities should not accept products with damaged packaging, missing labels, evidence of moisture, or uncertain storage history. Products should be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions, generally in a clean, dry environment away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.

FDA and Quality Documentation

Most commercially distributed butterfly needles are regulated medical devices. Buyers should ensure that the product is legally marketed in the United States and that the manufacturer provides appropriate labeling and quality information. Depending on the device and manufacturer, documentation may include a 510(k) clearance reference, declaration of conformity, quality certificates, or other regulatory records.

A purchasing department does not necessarily need to collect every document for every routine order, but it should maintain a supplier-qualification process. Hospitals and larger clinics may require a vendor questionnaire, product specifications, infection-control review, and evidence of regulatory compliance before approving a new product.

Comparing Prices and Package Sizes

Prices for 23-gauge butterfly needles vary according to the manufacturer, safety design, tubing length, package size, demand, and purchasing contract. A basic non-safety winged set may have a lower unit price than a safety-engineered set, but the cheaper item may not satisfy the facility’s exposure-control plan or internal policy.

Online listings can display prices per box, per case, or per individual unit. The buyer should calculate the fully delivered cost using the following factors:

1. Product price divided by the number of sterile units in the package.
2. Shipping, handling, cold-chain, or hazardous-material charges, if any.
3. Sales tax or exemption documentation.
4. Minimum order requirements.
5. Expected wastage caused by expired or damaged stock.
6. Administrative cost associated with using multiple vendors.
7. Cost of holders, adapters, or accessories not included with the needle set.

Large distributors may offer lower contract pricing, but a small clinic may spend more overall if it must purchase an entire case that it cannot use before expiration. Conversely, repeated small orders can produce higher shipping costs and increase the risk of stockouts. A simple usage analysis based on the previous six to twelve months can help determine the appropriate order quantity.

Purchasing Considerations for Different U.S. Buyers

Hospitals and Health Systems

Hospitals generally purchase through group purchasing organizations, regional contracts, or direct manufacturer agreements. Their selection process may include nursing, laboratory, infection prevention, occupational health, materials management, and patient-safety representatives.

A hospital should evaluate the product through a formal trial before conversion. Important measures can include failed Venipuncture attempts, staff usability, safety activation success, specimen quality, blood-collection time, and reported sharps injuries. A product that performs well in a small outpatient office may not be ideal for a high-volume inpatient laboratory.

Physician Offices and Outpatient Clinics

Small practices often purchase from Henry Schein, McKesson, Medline, Cardinal Health, or online retailers. Their priorities may include dependable availability, modest minimum quantities, simple ordering, and compatibility with existing blood tubes and holders.

Outpatient clinics should avoid buying solely on the basis of the lowest listed price. If the staff is trained on a safety device, switching to a different mechanism without instruction can undermine the purpose of the safety feature. Product conversion should include staff education and a review of the sharps-disposal process.

Independent and Mobile Phlebotomy Services

Mobile phlebotomists may prefer compact packaging, reliable shipping, and products that are easy to transport. They should maintain inventory controls that prevent sterile supplies from being stored in vehicles under excessive heat or cold. A mobile service should also carry compatible holders, tubes, tourniquets, antiseptic products, labels, gauze, adhesive dressings, and an appropriate sharps container.

Schools and Training Programs

Phlebotomy programs may purchase 23-gauge butterfly needles for supervised laboratory practice. Training institutions should use products that are appropriate for instruction and should distinguish practice supplies from devices intended for patient care.

Because training programs may use large quantities during skills practice, administrators should consider whether a lower-cost training configuration is appropriate. Any device used on a live patient must meet the program’s clinical policy and applicable regulatory requirements.

How to Verify a Product Listing

Before ordering, the buyer should record the exact manufacturer name and catalog number. Screenshots or general product names are not sufficient because one listing may contain several variants.

1. Confirm that the selected option is 23 gauge, not 21, 25, or another gauge.
2. Confirm the needle length and tubing length.
3. Determine whether the device is safety-engineered.
4. Check whether a holder, adapter, or other accessory is included.
5. Verify the number of units per box and the number of boxes per case.
6. Review sterile packaging, lot-number, and expiration-date information.
7. Confirm that the seller ships to the buyer’s state and accepts the organization’s payment method.
8. Check whether the seller is the manufacturer, an authorized distributor, or a third-party marketplace vendor.
9. Compare the final delivered cost with at least one alternative supplier.
10. Obtain clinical approval before changing an established product.

A facility should retain purchase records, invoices, lot information, and product documentation according to its internal quality-management policy. These records can help with product recalls, adverse-event investigations, inventory audits, and supplier performance reviews.

Safety, Compliance, and Responsible Use

Butterfly needles are invasive medical devices and should be used only by trained and authorized personnel. Purchasing supplies does not replace clinical training, infection-control procedures, or an organization’s exposure-control plan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes standard precautions for preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. These precautions include Hand Hygiene, appropriate personal protective equipment, safe injection practices, and proper handling and disposal of sharps. Used butterfly needles should be placed immediately or as soon as feasible into a closable, puncture-resistant, leak-resistant sharps container that is appropriately labeled or color-coded.

Needles should not be recapped, bent, broken, or removed by hand unless a specific procedure and engineering control require it. Employees should know how to report a needlestick injury promptly so that medical evaluation and post-exposure procedures can begin without unnecessary delay.

In addition to OSHA requirements, state health-department rules, facility policies, laboratory Regulations, and payer or accreditation requirements may affect phlebotomy-supply purchasing. A clinic should consult its infection-prevention professional, occupational-health program, or compliance officer when introducing a new device.

Which Store Is Best?

There is no single best U.S. seller for every buyer. McKesson, Medline, Cardinal Health, and Henry Schein are often suitable for professional organizations that need recurring supply, account service, and contract purchasing. Vitality Medical, Allegro Medical, Mountainside Medical Equipment, CIA Medical, Discount Medical Supplies, and Medicaleshop may be convenient for smaller orders or online price comparisons. Amazon Business and other marketplaces may offer additional availability but require enhanced seller and product verification.

The best source is the one that can consistently provide the correct 23-gauge specification, a clinically appropriate safety design, intact sterile packaging, adequate shelf life, dependable delivery, and documentation that meets the buyer’s requirements. A slightly higher unit price may be justified when it reduces stockouts, product waste, staff confusion, or occupational exposure risk.

Conclusion

Many U.S. medical-supply stores and distributors sell 23-gauge butterfly needles, including major healthcare distributors, professional medical retailers, and online suppliers. Common sources include McKesson Medical-Surgical, Medline, Cardinal Health, Henry Schein Medical, Vitality Medical, Allegro Medical, Mountainside Medical Equipment, CIA Medical, Discount Medical Supplies, Medicaleshop, and selected business marketplaces.

Because catalogs and inventory change, buyers should treat the seller names as starting points rather than guarantees of current availability. The final decision should be based on the exact product configuration, safety requirements, compatibility with the facility’s collection system, regulatory documentation, package quantity, total delivered cost, and clinical approval.

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