Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous
Injection Guide
Steps to Administer your Injection
Step 1
Preparation
Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water to ensure your hands are clean.
- Gather your Supplies:
- Compounded Medication multi-dose vial
- Insulin syringe and alcohol wipes that came with the set
- Sharps disposal container (if possible)
Disinfect the vial
Ensure that you are using the syringe that came with the set.
Check the multi-dose vial for any unusual particles or discoloration. If you notice anything unusual, do not use it and call the Pharmacy immediately.
Remove the seal on the top of the vial and disinfect with the alcohol wipes by swiping once.
Take the cap off the needle, being careful not to touch the needle to keep it sterile.
Pull back plunger to the required dose marked on the syringe, filling the syringe with air.
- How to read an insulin syringe
- Each 1 milliliter (mL) insulin syringe measures 100 units. Below is an example of units to mL conversion on a syringe:
| Units | mL |
|---|---|
| 5 | 0.05 |
| 10 | 0.1 |
| 15 | 0.15 |
| 20 | 0.2 |
Step 2
Drawing the Medication
Hold the syringe like you would hold a pen then slowly inject the needle into the middle of the rubber stopper.
- Make sure the needle does not bend.
Push the air into the vial. This step helps reduce the resistance for the next steps.
Turn the vial and syringe upside down. Now you are ready to draw your medication.
Pull plunger back just a little past the required dose. Then, push the excess back into the vial until you hit the mark of the required dose.
- Note: This is to remove all air bubbles
Carefully remove the needle from the vial.
If any bubbles are still visible, flick the syringe to remove them.
Step 3
How to administer your medication
Most common and accessible injection sites are the stomach area or the upper outer thigh.
- If you choose your stomach area as your injection site, make sure to inject two inches away from the belly button on either side.
Make sure to disinfect the site with alcohol wipes and let it dry for a few seconds.
Pinch the injection site with clean hands to create a firm surface.
At a 45 degree angle, insert the needle into the skin between the index finger and thumb in a slow yet constant pressure, push the plunger until you’ve fully injected the medication.
Gently pull the syringe out. Carefully replace the needle cap using a swooping motion with one hand.
Discard the capped syringe in a sharps container. Do NOT throw away in the regular trash.
YouTube Video Guide
Draw up desired dose in syringe
Move plunger up very carefully to remove any air in syringe
Pinch skin on injection site and insert syringe needle at 45 degree angle
Push on plunger to inject medication
Dispose of needle in sharps container
Place the vial back in the refrigerator until next use
Get Started
Contact your Southend Pharmacy representative for
more information and pricing.
more information and pricing.
