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self-administered injectables

your go-to guide on how to self-administer injectable medications

Hands washing with soap and water under a faucet

1. wash hands thoroughly

before touching any of the materials given, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then fully dry with a clean towel.

2. gather all supplies

gather your medication vile, syringe, alcohol wipes, sterile gloves, and a disposable container (make sure the container is made of a hard material to ensure needles do not poke out and risk injuries).

A table with a syringe, alcohol swabs, gloves, and a disposal container
A close-up showing how to attach the needle to the syringe

3. needle and syringe

syringes:

a 1 ml or 3 ml, with a luer lock (screw on connection), ensures a secure needle connection.

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needles:

  • the needle thickness is measured in gauge, varying by preference and/or body fat percentage. thicker gauges (e.g., 18 g) are for drawing out medication from the vial, while thinner gauges (e.g., 23 g) are for injecting.

  • length varies based on preference and body fat percentage, with options like ⅝”, 1”, and 1.5”.

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note:

if your syringe comes with a pre attached needle, be aware of its gauge — either for drawing (18 g - 23 g) or injecting  (23 g - 25 g). using separate needles is advised for drawing and injecting to maintain sharpness as needles dull with multiple punctures.

4. select an injection site

carefully ​choose which area you are most comfortable for self-administering
(abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm).

Outline of a person's body with their upper thighs, abdomen, and upper arms highlighted where the injection will be administered
A hand holding an alcohol swab and wiping a person's upper thigh

5. prepare your injection site

clean the chosen site with an alcohol wipe.

6. medication preparation

  1. ensure your medication reaches room temperature if refrigerated to minimize discomfort.

  2. verify the correct medication and check the expiration date (Beyond Use Date BUD).

  3. if your medication is in powder form (lyophilized), you'll need a mixing syringe/needle and the provided diluent.

  4. confirm dosing instructions on the prescription label.

A medication label with important information, especially the expiration date
A hand drawing medication from a vial into a syringe

7. drawing medication from the vial

  1. flip off vial cap and expose the rubber stopper.

  2. wipe top of vial with alcohol pad.

  3. insert the needle into the rubber stopper at a 90-degree angle then turn the vial upside down.

  4. gently pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the prescribed amount. tap the syringe gently to remove air bubbles.

  5. adjust the volume as needed to the prescribed dose.

  6. inspect your syringe for accuracy.

8. administer the injection

  1. at a 90-degree angle insert the needle swiftly and smoothly.

  2. push plunger slowly to inject the medication to minimize discomfort.

  3. upon completion, remove the needle, apply pressure, and massage the area to disperse the medication.

A hand injecting medication into a person's upper thigh
A hand applying an alcohol swan to an injection site

9. clean injection site

gently clean the injection site with an alcohol swab.

10. clean up

  1. wash hands.

  2. follow the specific storage instructions provided on your vial label for any unused medication.

  3. dispose of used needles in a sharps container.

A hand disposing of a syringe in a sharps container
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