Injection Instructions

Supplies Needed

• Insulin syringe (size per your prescription label)
• 2 alcohol swabs
• Sharps container
• Medication vial

Preparation

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Gather all supplies: vial, syringe, 2 alcohol swabs, sharps container.
• Clean the rubber stopper of the vial with an alcohol swab; allow to dry.
• Pull back the plunger to the line on your syringe for your dose. This fills the syringe with air.
• Insert the needle into the rubber top of the vial. Do not touch or bend the needle.
• Push the air into the vial.
• Turn the vial upside down and pull back the plunger to draw your prescribed dose.
• Check for air bubbles — tap the syringe gently and push bubbles out slowly.

Injection

• Select your injection site (see Preferred Sites below).
• Clean the site with a fresh alcohol swab; allow to dry completely before injecting.
• Pinch a fold of skin firmly between your thumb and index finger.
• Insert the needle at a 45° angle with a smooth, confident motion (90° for very short needles on thin skin).
• Release the pinch; hold the syringe steady and slowly depress the plunger to inject the full dose.
• Withdraw the needle in one smooth motion.
• Apply gentle pressure with the alcohol swab — do not rub vigorously.
• Dispose of the used syringe in your sharps container immediately. Never recap needles.

Preferred Injection Sites

• Outer buttock — most preferred for peptides
• Abdomen — 2+ inches from the navel (preferred for GLP-1 and GH peptides)
• Outer thigh — middle third (acceptable for most injections)
• Upper outer arm — if someone else is administering

Site Rotation

Rotate injection sites with every dose. Never inject into the same exact spot consecutively. Allow each site to rest at least 3–4 days before reusing it.

Missed Dose

Skip the missed dose and resume your next scheduled dose. Do not double dose. Consistency over time matters more than a single missed injection.

Sharps Disposal

All used needles and syringes must go directly into a sharps container. Never place in regular trash. When the container is ¾ full, seal it and drop off at a pharmacy or approved sharps disposal location.