Self-injection: Subcutaneous

BY LEARNING SELF INJECTION, YOU WILL…

1. Have fewer trips to the clinic.
2. Not have to wait.
3. Receive the injection in your own home 

HOW DO I STORE MY MEDICATION?

• Ask your pharmacist about any specific storage instructions.
• Always store your medicine out of reach and out of sight of children. 

IS SELF-INJECTION RIGHT FOR ME?

Most likely if:

• You are interested in self-injection.
• You are not nervous.
• You have steady hands.
• You pay attention to details.
• You like to do things on your own. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Medication Vial
• Syringe
• Needle (of the correct size)
• Alcohol Swab or Alcohol and Cotton Balls
• Bandage
• Sharps Disposal

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS

Some medications are ready to use or you may need to draw the medication into the syringe.

• The needle is short.
• You will receive all the supplies.
• Make sure you are injecting at the proper site.

TIP OF A NEEDLE

The flat, slanted part of the needle (bevel) should be pointed up to help the needle go easily through the skin.

SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

Your physician has ordered Subcutaneous Injection to be given.

SITES FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

You have a few choices:

• Lower abdomen, about an inch away from the belly button.
• Front of the thigh, about half way down and right in the middle.
• Back of the upper arm.

It doesn’t matter which site you choose unless your physician gives you specific instructions. Please make sure to rotate your sites.

Do not inject into the same area with every injection.

Do not inject into scar tissue or bruising on the skin.

STEPS FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

• Gather supplies (double check for correct medication and dosage).
• Wash hands with warm water and soap.
• Choose a site for the injection. Sites include: arm, leg or abdomen.
• Draw up medication into syringe (don’t forget to push out excess air with the plunger).
• Use 25 or 26 gauge needle.
• Wipe injection site with alcohol swab in circular motion & allow the skin to dry.
• Stretch the skin at the injection site
• Make sure the flat, slanted part of the needle is pointing up if you plan on using a 45 degree angle for injection.
• Insert needle through the skin at either a 45 or 90 degree angle and push the plunger to inject medication.
• Support surrounding skin before you withdraw the needle.
• Remove the needle and place in sharps container.
• Place alcohol swab over injection site for 10 seconds.
• Place bandage over injection site.

SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION SAFETY TIPS

1. Double check for correct medication and dosage.
2. Flat, Slanted part of needle pointing up for 45 degree angle injection.
3. Dispose of used needle and syringe right away after injection in proper sharps container.

Do not recap the needle.

DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS

Needles and syringes should be put in a sharps container given to you.

Please return the container to the clinic when it is 2/3 full.