Subcutaneous Injection Instructions

 

Q. How do I Measure my Dose on a Syringe?

Review your medication instructions to find the prescribed volume for your injection. Your instructions may be listed in milliliters (ml), units or both.

  • Insulin Syringes

The syringes depicted in the image below hold a total of 1ml or 100 units. Dosage should be measured with the top part of the syringe stopper

subq-insulin syringe

Q. Where Can I Give Subcutaneous Shots?

  • Upper Arm

Inject on the backside of the arm, halfway between the elbow and shoulder.

  • Belly

Inject below the ribs and above the hip bones, at least 2 inches away from your belly button.

  • Thigh

Inject in the upper portion of the thigh, between the front and outer areas.

Injection Sites

Q. How to Remove the Foil Lid from the Vial?

1. Locate the perforated ring in the center of the vial cap:

vial instructions 1

2. Place something under the ring to loosen it and then remove it:

vial instructions 2

3. Only remove the inner foil ring. Wipe the rubber stopper with alcohol prior to use.

vial instructions 2

Q. How Do I Prepare My Dose?

Important! Please read all of the instructions before giving yourself an injection in order to have an understanding on how to properly give the injection.

  1. Wash your hands: Wash your hands prior to starting the process.
  2. Prepare the vial: Allow the vial to thaw. Wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Discard the swab after use.
  3. Prepare the needle: Remove the plastic cover.
  4. Puncture the vial: Hold the vial with your non-dominant hand. Use your dominant hand to push the needle through the center of the rubber stopper at a 90 degree angle.
  5. Draw up medication: Flip the vial over while keeping the needle inserted. Pull the plunger beyond the prescribed units. Gently tap the syringe to bring any air bubbles to the top. Push any bubbles and any extra fluid back into the vial until you reach the prescribed units. Remove the needle from the vial.

Q. How Do I Inject my Dose into the Subcutaneous Tissue?

  1. Sanitize the injection site: Wipe the injection site area with new alcohol swab.
  2. Prepare the injection site: With your non-dominant hand, gently pinch 1-2 inches of skin, making sure to not touch the sanitized area.
  3. Insert the needle: With your dominant hand, penetrate the injection site at a 90° angle using a steady and continuous motion until the entire needle is inserted.
  4. Inject the dose: Push down on the plunger with your thumb until the entire dose is injected.
  5. Remove the needle: After removing the needle, press gently on injection site with swab for 3-5 minutes or until any bleeding stops.
injection

Q. How Can I Dispose of Used Syringes and Needles?

  1. Discard needles/syringes used for the injection in a sharps container or a safety container.
discard

For information on proper disposal of medications, please visit https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal/