Subcutaneous Injection Instructions Using a Syringe and Vial

A subcutaneous injection is a shot of medicine that is given into the layer of fat and tissue between skin and muscle. The injection is given with a single-use syringe and needle. The medicine comes in a bottle (vial). You will fill the syringe with medicine from the vial.

Use only the syringe, needle, and medicine that your health care provider prescribes. Use each syringe and needle only one time.

Supplies needed:

• Syringe.
• Needle. Use the needle length and size (gauge) that your health care provider or pharmacist gives you.
• Medicine prescribed by your health care provider.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Bandage.
• A container for syringe disposal. This may be a puncture-proof sharps container or a hard-sided plastic container that has a secure lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.

How to choose a site for injection

Follow instructions from your health care provider about where to give an injection. Do not inject in the same spot each time. There are five main areas that can be used for injecting. These areas include:

• Abdomen. Avoid the area that is within 2 inches (5 cm) of your navel (umbilicus).
• Front of thigh.
• Upper, outer side of thigh.
• Upper, outer side of arm.
• Upper, outer part of buttock.

How to give an injection using medicine from a vial

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
2. Gently roll the medicine vial between your hands to mix it. Do not shake the vial.
3. If there is a plastic covering on the vial, remove it. Clean the top rubber part of the vial with an alcohol wipe.
4. Remove the plastic cover from the needle on the syringe. Do not let the needle touch anything.
5. Pull the plunger back to draw air into the syringe. Stop the plunger when the dose indicator gets to the line that is the same as your medicine dose.
6. Push the needle through the rubber on the top of the vial. Do not turn the vial over.
7. Push the plunger in all the way. This pushes air into the vial.
8. While the needle is still in the vial, turn the vial upside down and hold it at eye level.
9. Pull back slowly on the plunger to draw medicine into the syringe. Stop when the dose indicator is at the correct amount of medicine needed.
10. Remove the needle from the vial. Do not let the needle touch anything.
11. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up. Check the syringe for any remaining air bubbles. If there are air bubbles, flick the syringe with your finger until the air bubbles rise to the top. Then, gently push on the plunger until you can see a drop of medicine appear at the tip of the needle. This will clear any remaining air bubbles from the syringe.
12. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the site where you will be injecting the needle. Let the site air-dry.
13. Hold the syringe in your writing hand like a pencil.
14. Use your other hand to pinch and hold about an inch (2.5 cm) of skin. Do not directly touch the cleaned part of the skin.
15. Gently but quickly, put the needle straight into the skin. The needle should be at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to the skin. The needle may need to be injected at a 45-degree angle in thin adults or children who have a small amount of body fat.
16. After the needle is completely inserted into the skin, release the skin that you are pinching. Continue to hold the syringe with your writing hand.
17. Use your thumb or index finger of your writing hand to push the plunger all the way into the syringe to inject the medicine.
18. Pull the needle straight out of the skin.
19. Press and hold the alcohol wipe over the injection site until bleeding stops. Do not rub the area.
20. Cover the injection site with a bandage, if needed.

How to safely throw away the supplies

If you are using a syringe that does not have a safety system for shielding the needle after injection:

• Do not recap the needle. Place the syringe and needle in the disposal container.

If your syringe has a safety system for shielding the needle after injection:

• Firmly push down on the plunger after you complete the injection. The protective sleeve will automatically cover the needle, and you will hear a click. The click means that the needle is safely covered.

Follow the disposal regulations for the area where you live. Do not use any syringe or needle more than one time. You may throw the empty medicine vial in the trash.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have difficulty giving the injection.
• You think that the injection was not given correctly.
• You have difficulty with any of the supplies.
• The medicine causes side effects.
• Rashes develop on the skin.
• A fever develops.
• The condition that is being treated gets worse.

Get help right away if:

• Any of the following symptoms develop after the injection is given:
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Chest pain.
  • A rash over most or all of the body.
  • Swelling of the lips or tongue.
  • Difficulty swallowing.

Summary

• A subcutaneous injection is a shot of medicine that is given into the layer of fat and tissue between skin and muscle.
• Use only the syringe, needle, and medicine that your health care provider prescribes. Use each syringe and needle only one time.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about where to give an injection.

Subcutaneous Injection Instructions Using a Prefilled Syringe

A subcutaneous injection is a shot of medicine that is given into the layer of fat and tissue between skin and muscle. The injection is given with a single-use syringe that already has medicine inside of it (prefilled syringe).

Read the medication guide or package insert that came with the syringe. Follow directions from the guide about how to prepare and give the injection. This is important because the directions may be different for each medicine. Use only the syringe, needle, and medicine that your health care provider prescribes. Use each prefilled syringe and needle only one time.

Supplies needed:

• Prefilled syringe with needle. Use the needle length and size (gauge) that your health care provider or pharmacist gives to you.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Bandage.
• A container for syringe disposal. This may be a puncture-proof sharps container or a hard-sided plastic container that has a secure lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.

How to choose a site for injection

Follow instructions from your health care provider about where to give an injection. Do not inject in the same spot each time. There are five main areas that can be used for injecting. These areas include:

• Abdomen. Avoid the area that is within 2 inches (5 cm) of your navel (umbilicus).
• Front of thigh.
• Upper, outer side of thigh.
• Upper, outer side of arm.
• Upper, outer part of buttock.

How to give an injection using a prefilled syringe

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
2. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the site where you will be injecting the needle. Let the site air-dry.
3. Remove the plastic cover from the needle on the syringe. Do not let the needle touch anything.
4. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up. Check the syringe for any remaining air bubbles. If there are air bubbles, flick the syringe with your finger until the air bubbles rise to the top. Then, gently push on the plunger until you can see a drop of medicine appear at the tip of the needle. This will clear any remaining air bubbles from the syringe.
5. Hold the syringe in your writing hand like a pencil.
6. Use your other hand to pinch and hold about an inch (2.5 cm) of skin. Do not directly touch the cleaned part of the skin.
7. Insert the entire needle straight into the fold of skin. The needle should be at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to the skin. Push the needle all the way against the skin. The needle may need to be injected at a 45-degree angle in thin adults or children who have a small amount of body fat.
8. After the needle is completely inserted into the skin, release the skin that you are pinching. Continue to hold the syringe with your writing hand.
9. Use your thumb or index finger of your writing hand to push the plunger all the way into the syringe to inject the medicine.
10. Pull the needle straight out of the skin.
11. Press and hold the alcohol wipe over the injection site until bleeding stops. Do not rub the area.
12. Cover the injection site with a bandage, if needed.

How to safely throw away the supplies

If you are using a syringe that does not have a safety system for shielding the needle after injection:

• Do not recap the needle. Place the syringe and needle in the disposal container.

If your syringe has a safety system for shielding the needle after injection:

• Firmly push down on the plunger after you complete the injection. The protective sleeve will automatically cover the needle, and you will hear a click. The click means that the needle is safely covered.

Follow the disposal regulations for the area where you live. Do not use any syringe or needle more than one time.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have difficulty giving the injection.
• You think that the injection was not given correctly.
• You have difficulty with any of the supplies.
• The medicine causes side effects.
• Rashes develop on the skin.
• A fever develops.
• The condition that is being treated gets worse.

Get help right away if:

• Any of these symptoms develop after the injection is given:
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Chest pain.
  • A rash over most or all of the body.
  • Swelling of the lips or tongue.
  • Difficulty swallowing.

Summary

• A subcutaneous injection is a shot of medicine that is given into the layer of fat and tissue between skin and muscle.
• Read the medication guide or package insert that came with the syringe. Follow directions from the guide about how to prepare and give the injection.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about where to give an injection.