Resources
HOW TO SELF-INJECT
SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION USING A PREFILLED SYRINGE
This information will help you learn how to give yourself a subcutaneous (SUB-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) injection (shot) using a prefilled syringe. A subcutaneous injection is an injection that’s given under your skin. A prefilled syringe is a syringe that comes with nutritional injections inside.
HOW TO STORE YOUR PREFILLED SYRINGES
Please store your nutritional injections at room temperature and out of direct light.Don’t store your prefilled syringes in the freezer or leave them in direct sunlight..
HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
Place your supplies on a clean, flat surface (such as a table or countertop). You’ll need:
- • 1 alcohol pad
- • 1 small gauze pad or cotton ball.
- • 1 bandage (such as a Band-Aid®)
- • A solid container to throw away the syringe and needle (such as a heavy plastic laundry detergent bottle with a lid)
- • 1 prefilled syringe with a needle cap
GET THE INJECTION SITE READY
Choose an injection site (place on your body to give the injection) where you can pinch a 1 to 2-inch (2.5 to 5-centimeter) fold of skin. It’s best to use one of the following areas (see Figure 1):
- • Your abdomen (belly), except for the 2-inch (5-centimeter) area around your belly button
- • The middle front or middle outside of your thighs
- • The upper area of your buttocks (butt)
- • The back part of your upper arms, if someone else is giving you the injection
Don’t inject into an area that’s tender, red, bruised, hard, or that has scars or stretch marks.
Figure 1. Injection sites
Give the injection in a different area each time. It’s helpful to use a notebook or calendar to keep track. Injecting in the same spot each time will make scar tissue form. This can keep the nutritional injections from working like it’s supposed to. It will also make it hard to put the needle into your skin.
Once you choose an injection site, follow the instructions below.
1. Clean your hands well with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- If you’re washing your hands with soap and water, wet your hands, apply soap, rub them together well for at least 20 seconds, then rinse. Dry your hands with a disposable towel and use that same towel to turn off the faucet.
- If you’re using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, be sure to cover your hands with it, rubbing them together until they’re dry.
2. Fold back any clothing that’s covering the injection site.
3. Open the alcohol pad. Using firm pressure, clean the skin at the injection site. Start at the center of the site and move outward in a circular motion.
4. Let your skin air dry. Don’t fan or blow on the area.
GIVE YOURSELF THE INJECTION
1. Take the syringe out of its package.
2. With your dominant hand (the hand you write with), hold the syringe around the middle, like a pen or dart.
3. Carefully pull the needle cover straight off (see Figure 2). Once the needle cover is off, don’t set the syringe down.Don’t let anything, including your fingers, touch the needle.If anything touches the needle, put the syringe in the sharps container. Start over with a new one.
Figure 2. Remove the needle cover
4. Check the syringe for air bubbles. If there is an air bubble, hold the syringe so the needle is pointing up. Gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top, near the needle. Slowly push the plunger up to force the air bubbles out.
5. Make sure you’re still holding the syringe around the middle, like a pen or dart. Use your free hand to pinch a fold of skin at the injection site.
6. Push the whole needle straight down into your skin in one smooth, quick motion (see Figure 3). Don’t put your thumb on the plunger yet.
Figure 3. Put the needle into your skin
7. Stop pinching your skin. Use your thumb to slowly push the plunger all the way down until all the medicine is injected (see Figure 4). You can use whichever thumb is more comfortable.
Figure 4. Push the plunger all the way down
8. When the syringe is empty, pull it straight out of your skin.
- Place a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site and press down for several seconds. Put a bandage over the injection site, if needed.Place the needle cover back on the syringe. Be careful to not poke yourself with the needle.
9. Place the syringe into the sharps container. Don’t use a prefilled syringe more than once.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
Call your healthcare provider if:
- • The injection site won’t stop bleeding.
- • You have very bad pain.
- • You inject the medicine into the wrong area.
- • You develop a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher.
- • You develop signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, redness, itching, or a rash.
- • You can’t use a syringe because the medicine is expired, foamy, discolored, cloudy, or has crystals.
- • You can’t use a syringe because something touches the needle before the injection.
- • You have trouble giving the injection.