Learn How to Safely Give Injections at Home

4/29/2020 4 Ways to Give an Injection - wikiHow
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How to Give an Injection

Co-authored by Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Updated: March 28, 2020
It is possible to safely and accurately administer your

injectable medications in the privacy of your home. Safe
injection practices protect the patient, the person giving the
injection, as well as the environment. The two common types
of injections administered at home are subcutaneous, which
mean the needle only penetrates the skin and fat tissues (ex.
insulin injections), and intramuscular injections, which go
slightly deeper to penetrate the muscle. If you must give
yourself injections or give injections to a close friend or family
member, you must first learn how to do so from the
healthcare provider who is prescribing the medication to be
injected.
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Injection 1/26
Method
1 Preparing to Give an Injection
Determine what type of injection you are

1 giving. Your doctor or should give you detailed
directions on the type of injection you will
administer as well as the technique. When you are
ready, review the detailed instructions that come
with the medication as well as the directions given
to you by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If you
have any questions or doubts about how and when
to administer the injection, talk to your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist. Ask questions if you are not
sure about the correct syringe, needle length, and
needle gauge before proceeding.
Some medications come ready-to-use, while
others require you to fill the needle with
medication from a vial.
Be very clear on the supplies you need for the
injection. Some people receive more than one
type of injection at home.
It is easy to confuse the syringes and needles
needed for one injection with those intended
for use with another medication injection.
Be familiar with the product packaging. Not

2 all injectable medication packaging is the
same. Some medications may need reconstitution
before administration. Many come packaged with
everything you need including syringes and

needles.[1] Again, it is imperative that your
healthcare provider teaches you about your
medication and any preparatory steps specific to
that medication. Simply reading the instructions or
a "How To" is not sufficient — you must have
access to a direct link to ask questions and
become educated on your medication and the
administration.
Once you have talked to your doctor, you can
also review the product literature, which will
give clear step-by-step instructions on anything
you need to do in order to prepare the
medication for administration. Again, this is
should not be considered a replacement for
talking to your healthcare provider about how
to prepare and administer the medication.
The literature will also tell you the
recommended syringe size, needle size, and
needle gauge, if those are not included in the
packaging.
Give a medication packaged in a single dose
vial. Common manufacturer packaging for
many injectable medications is done by putting
the medication into a vial called a single dose
vial.
The label on the medication vial will say either
“single dose vial” or will contain the
abbreviation, SDV.
This means each vial contains only one dose.

There may be fluid left in the vial after you
have prepared the dose you need to give.
The remainder of the medication in the vial is
to be discarded and not saved for another
dose.
Prepare a dose from a multi dose vial. Other

3 medications are packaged in a multi-dose-vial,
which does allow for more than one dose to be
withdrawn from the vial.
The label on the medication will say “multi-
dose vial” or contain the abbreviation, MDV.
If the medication you are using is packaged in
a multi-dose vial, use a permanent marker to
write the date it was first opened on the
container.
Store the medication in the refrigerator
between doses. Do not freeze the medication.
Small amounts of preservatives may be used
in the manufacturing process for medications
contained in multi-dose-vial. This helps to
minimize the growth of any contaminants, but
only protects the purity of the medication for up
to 30 days after the vial is opened.
The vial should be discarded 30 days after the
first date of opening has passed, unless your
doctor advises you otherwise.
Gather your supplies. You will need the

4 medication package or vial, the syringe that
comes with the product if available, a purchased
syringe-needle unit, or separate syringes and
needles that are put together at the time of
administration. Other items you need include
alcohol pads, a small gauze pad or cotton ball, a
band-aid, and a sharps container.[2]
Remove the outer seal from the medication
vial then wipe the rubber top of the with an
alcohol pad. Always let the area air dry after
wiping with an alcohol pad. Don't blow on the
top of the vial or the cleaned skin as this can
cause contamination.
Use the gauze pad or cotton ball to apply
pressure on the injection site to reduce
bleeding. Cover this with a band-aid.
The sharps container is used as an important
safety measure to protect the patient,
caregiver, and community from biohazardous
materials. The container is a thick, plastic, bin
designed to hold used sharps. Sharps are
lancets, syringes, and needles. When the
sharps container is full, arrangements are
made to transfer it to a place that destroys
biohazard equipment.[3]
Examine the medication. Be sure you have

5 the right medicine in the right strength, and the
expiration date has not passed. Be sure the

medication vial or package has been stored
according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some
products are stable when kept at room
temperature before use and others may need
refrigeration.[4]
Check the packaging for visible damage such
as cracks or dents in the vial that holds the
medication.
Look at the area around the top of the vial.
Check for cracks and dents in the seal around
the top of the medication container. Dents can
mean that the sterility of the packaging may no
longer be reliable.
Look at the liquid inside the container. Check
for particulate matter which is anything unusual
or floating inside the container. Most injectable
medications are clear.
Some insulins appear cloudy. If you notice
anything other than clear liquid inside the
container, other than some insulins products,
then discard it.
Wash your hands. Thoroughly clean your

6 hands using soap and water.[5]
Include washing your nail area, between your
fingers, and your wrist area.
This helps prevent contamination and reduce
the risk of infection.
It is recommended to wear FDA approved

gloves such as Medint Latex Examination
Gloves prior to an ejection as an extra barrier
against bacteria and infection.
Inspect the syringe and needle. Be sure the

7 syringe and needle are in unopened, sterile
packaging that shows no evidence of damage or
deterioration. Upon opening, check the syringe for
cracks in the barrel or discoloration of any part of
the syringe. This includes the rubber top on the
plunger. Any damage or deterioration indicates the
syringe should not be used.
Examine the needle for any evidence of
damage. Be sure the needle has not been bent
or broken. Do not use any product that
appears damaged including damage to the
packaging that might indicate the needle is no
longer considered sterile.
Some packaged syringes and needles have a
visible expiration date, but not all
manufacturers provide this on the packaging. If
you are concerned that a product is too old to
use, contact the manufacturer. Have any lot
numbers available when you call.
Discard damaged or deteriorated syringes, or
those that have expired, by putting them in a
sharps container.
Verify that you have the correct size and

8 type of syringe. Be sure to use a syringe
designed for the injection you are giving. Avoid
interchanging different types of syringes as this
can result in serious errors in dosing. Use only the
type of syringe recommended for the medication
you are giving.[6]
Select a syringe that holds a little more than
the amount you need to administer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
regarding the needle length and gauge
The needle gauge is the number that describes
the diameter of the needle. Larger numbers
mean skinnier needles. Some medications are
thicker and need a smaller gauge, or larger
diameter needle.
Most syringes and needles are currently
manufactured as a single unit for safety
reasons. When you select your syringe size
you are also selecting your needle length and
gauge. Be sure you have the proper equipment
to administer the injection. This information is
detailed in the product literature, or is available
by asking your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse.
Separate syringes and needles are still
available. If this is what you have, then
assemble the syringe and needle. Make sure
that the syringe is the proper size and the
needle is sterile, unused, and the correct
length and gauge for the type of injection

you're performing. Intramuscular and
subcutaneous injections use different needles.
Fill the syringe. Follow the packaging

9 instructions if available or proceed with filling
the syringe from the medication vial.
Sterilize the top of the vial with alcohol and
allow it to air dry for several minutes.
Prepare to fill your syringe. Know exactly how
much liquid medication you need to withdraw
and administer for your dose. Your syringe
should contain exactly the amount of the
prescribed dose. This information is available
on the prescription label or the instructions
provided by the doctor or pharmacy.
To fill the syringe, pull the plunger back to fill it
with air equal to the exact amount of fluid you
will need.
Holding the vial upside down, insert the needle
into the rubber seal, and push the plunger to
inject the air from the syringe into the vial.
Pull the plunger out to withdraw the fluid to the
exact amount needed for administration. [7]
Sometimes air bubbles are visible in the
syringe. Tap the syringe gently while the
needle is still in the medication vial. This
moves the air to the top of the syringe.
Push the air back into the vial then withdraw

more medication if needed to be sure you have
the exact amount you need to administer.
Get the patient comfortable. Consider

10 icing the area before administering the
injection to reduce pain, particularly if the patient is
a child. Let him or her sit in a comfortable position
with the area exposed.
Be sure you can comfortably reach the area of
administration.
Have the person remain as still and relaxed as
possible.
If you wipe the area with alcohol, wait several
minutes for the area to air dry before inserting
the needle into the skin.
Method
2 Giving a Subcutaneous Injection
Determine the injection site based on your

1 doctor's instructions. A subcutaneous
injection (SQ) is one given into the fatty layer of
the skin. SQ injections are necessary for specific
medications and for doses that usually require
small amounts. The fat layer where the injection is
given is between the skin and the muscle.[8]
One place that is good to give a subcutaneous

injection is the abdomen. Select an area below
the waist and above the hip bone, and about
two inches away from the belly button. Avoid
the belly button area.
SQ injections can be given in the thigh area,
halfway between the knee and hip, and slightly
to the side as long as you can pinch up one to
two inches of skin.
The lower back is a good place for SQ
injections. Target the area above the buttocks,
below the waist, and halfway between the
spine and the side.
The upper arm is a usable site as long as there
is enough skin to pinch up one to two inches.
Use the area of the upper arm that is halfway
between the elbow and shoulder.
Alternating between sites will help prevent
bruising and skin damage. You can also alter
within the same general site by using different
patches of skin within that area.
Proceed with the injection. Clean the skin on

2 and around the site with rubbing alcohol. Allow
the alcohol to dry before administering the
injection. This shouldn't take more than a minute or
two.[9]
Do not touch the wiped area with your hands
or any other material before giving the
injection.
Verify that you have the right drug, right site of
injection, and that you have prepared the
correct dose for administration.
Hold the syringe with your dominant hand and
pull the needle cover off with your other hand.
Pinch the skin with your non-dominant hand.
Determine your angle of entry. Depending

3 on the amount of skin you can pinch, you can
insert the needle at either a 45 degree or 90
degree angle.[10]
Use a 45 degree angle if you can only pinch
about one inch of skin.
If you can pinch two inches of skin, then insert
the needle at a 90 degree angle.
Grasp the syringe tightly and use a quick
motion of your wrist to puncture the skin with
the needle.
Insert the needle quickly and carefully at the
determined angle with your dominant hand
while pinching the skin with your other hand.
Quick needle insertion helps prevent the
patient from becoming tense.
Aspiration for a SQ injection is not necessary.
There is no harm in doing so unless you are
administering blood thinning agents, such as
enoxaparin sodium.
To aspirate, pull the plunger back slightly and

check for the appearance of blood in the
syringe. If there is blood, then remove the
needle and find a different spot to administer
the injection. If no blood is found, continue.[11]
Inject the medicine into the patient. Push

4 the plunger down until all the fluid has been
released.
Remove the needle. Push down on the skin
above the injection site and use a quick and
careful motion to remove the needle in the
same angle in which it was administered.
The whole process doesn't need to take more
than five or ten seconds.
Discard all used sharps in a sharps container.
Administer an insulin injection. Insulin

5 injections are given SQ but require different
syringes to be sure each dose is accurate Plus,
insulin administration is ongoing. Keeping a record
of injection sites is an important part of insulin
administration that helps you to rotate your
sites.[12]
Recognize the difference in syringes. Using a
regular syringe can cause serious dosing
errors.
Insulin syringes are graduated in units instead
of cc’s or mls. It is critical that you use an
insulin syringe when giving insulin.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist to be
sure you understand which type of insulin
syringe to use with your prescribed insulin type
and dosage.
Method
3 Giving an Intramuscular Injection
Determine the injection site. An

1 intramuscular injection (IM) delivers
medication directly into a muscle. Choose an
injection site that has easy access to muscle
tissue.[13]
There are four primary sites recommended for
administering IM injections. Those include the
thigh, the hip, the buttocks, and the upper arm.
Alternate between injection sites to prevent
bruising, soreness, scarring, and skin changes.
Give the injection into the thigh. The vastus

2 lateralis is the name of the muscle that you will
be targeting for your medication delivery site.[14]
Visually divide the thigh into three sections.
The middle section is the target for the IM
injection.
This is a good site if you are giving yourself an

IM injection since you can easily see and
reach the target area.
Use the ventrogluteal muscle. This muscle is

3 located in the hip. Use landmarks on the body
to find the location where you want to inject the
medication.[15]
Find the proper location by having the person
lie on his or her side. Place the heel of your
hand on the upper and outer part of the thigh
where it joins the buttocks.
Point your fingers toward the person’s head
and point your thumb towards the groin.
You should feel a bone along the tips of your
ring finger and little finger.
Form a V shape by moving your pointer finger
away from the other fingers. The injection is
given in the middle part of the V shape.
Give the injection into the buttocks. The

4 dorsogluteal muscle is the area where you
want to inject the medication. With practice the
target area becomes easier to locate, but begin by
using physical landmarks and divide the area into
quadrants to be sure you have the correct area.[16]
Draw an imaginary line, or actual line using an
alcohol wipe if available, from the top of the
crack to the side of the body. Locate the
midpoint of that line, and move up three

inches.
Draw another line that crossed the first one,
forming a cross.
Locate a curved bone in the upper outer
square or quadrant. The injection should be
given in the upper outer square below the
curved bone.
Administer the injection in the upper arm.

5 The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm
and is a good site for IM injections if there is
adequate muscle tissue. Use an alternate site if
the person is thin or has little muscle in that
area.[17]
Find the acromion process, or the bone that
crosses the upper arm.
Draw an imaginary upside down triangle with
the bone as the base and the point of the
triangle is the level of the armpit.
Give the injection in the middle of the triangle,
one to two inches below the acromion process.
Clean the skin on and around the site with

6 an alcohol wipe. Allow the alcohol to dry
before administering the injection.[18]
Do not touch the cleaned area with your
fingers or any other material before giving the
injection.
Hold the syringe firmly with your dominant

hand and remove the needle cover with your
other hand.
Put pressure on the skin where you are giving
the injection. Push down gently and pull the
skin so it is tight.
Insert the needle. Use your wrist to inject the

7 needle through the skin at a 90 degree angle.
You will need to force the needle deep enough to
be sure you deliver the medication into muscle
tissue. Selecting the correct needle length helps to
guide you in the injection process.[19]
Aspirate by pulling the plunger back slightly.
Look for blood that is pulled back into the
syringe as you pull back on the plunger.
If there is blood, then carefully remove the
needle and find a different spot to administer
the injection. If no blood is seen then continue
with giving the injection.[20]
Carefully inject the medicine into the

8 patient. Push the plunger down until all of the
fluid has been released.[21]
Do not push too hard on the plunger as this
forces the medication into the site too fast.
Push the plunger in a steady but slow manner
to reduce pain.
Remove the needle in the same angle in which

it was injected.
Cover the injection site with a small gauze pad
or a cotton ball and a band-aid, and check on it
regularly. Make sure it looks clean and the
injection site is not continuing to bleed.
Method
4
Paying Attention to Post-Injection Safety
Watch for an allergic reaction. Any new

1 medication should be first administered in a
physician's office so the patient can be monitored
for allergy signs and symptoms. However, if signs
or symptoms of an allergic reaction develop during
subsequent treatments, seek medical attention
immediately.[22]
Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, a
rash or itching; shortness of breath; difficulty
swallowing; feeling like your throat or airway is
closing; and swelling of the mouth, lips, or
face.
Call 911 if symptoms of an allergic reaction
develop. You have just injected a medication
into the body which speeds up the reaction
time if an allergy is present.
Seek medical attention if you develop an

2 infection. Even the best injection technique
can sometimes allow entry of contaminants.[23]
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you
develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, headache,
sore throat, joint and muscle aches, and
gastrointestinal problems.
Other symptoms that warrant prompt medical
attention include chest tightness, nasal
congestion or stuffiness, a widespread rash,
and mental changes like confusion or
disorientation.
Monitor the injection site. Watch for changes

3 in skin tissue at the point of injection and the
area immediately surrounding it.[24]
Injection site reactions are more common with
some drugs than others. Read the product
literature before drug administration to know
what to look for.
Common reactions that occur at the site of an
injection include redness in the area, swelling,
itching, bruising, and sometimes a raised lump
or hardened area.
Alternating injection sites can help to minimize
damage to the skin and surrounding tissue
when frequent injections are needed.
Persistent problems with injection site
reactions warrant medical evaluation.
Dispose of used items safely. Sharps

4 containers are a safe way to dispose of used
lancets, syringes, and needles. Sharps containers
can be purchased at your local pharmacy and are
available online.[25][26]
Never put lancets, syringes, or needles in the
regular trash.
Review your state’s guidelines. Your
pharmacist can help you to find a program that
meets your needs. Many states have clear
guidelines and suggestions on developing a
safe system for disposing of biohazardous
waste created from giving injections at home.
Sharps, including used needles, lancets, and
syringes, are biohazardous waste since they
are contaminated with skin and blood from
direct contact with you or the person receiving
the injections.
Consider an arrangement with a company that
provides mailback kits. Some companies
provide a service that supplies you with sharps
containers you need and make arrangements
that allow you to safely mail the containers to
them when they are full. The company takes
responsibility for proper destruction of
biohazardous waste.[27]
Ask your pharmacy about safe ways to discard
any vials that contain unused medications.
Often, any opened vials of medication can be

placed into the sharps container.
Community Q&A
Question
Which syringe do I use for injecting

testosterone?
Community Answer
Use a sterile, suitable needle and syringe. As with

all injections, it’s important to use a sterile, never-
before-used needle when administering
testosterone. Dirty needles can spread deadly
blood-borne diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Use
a clean, sealed, capped needle every time you
give a testosterone injection. Another thing to
consider is the fact that testosterone is fairly
viscous and oily compared to other injectable
medications. Because of this, you’ll want to
initially use a slightly thicker-bore needle than
normal (for instance, a 18 or 20-gauge) to draw
up your dose.
Question
Does an injection hurt?
Community Answer
It depends on where on the body it is

administered. Many common injections, such as
most vaccinations, are administered in the arm,
while certain antibiotics may be administered to
the back or the buttocks. Ask your doctor or nurse
beforehand where you can expect the injection to
be applied and treat that area accordingly. Don't
tense up or look at the needle, and it'll feel less
painful.
Question
Is there a name for a doctor that gives vaccines?
Community Answer
No, all doctors are trained to give vaccines, so

just your usual doctor.
Question
Do allergy shots hurt?
Community Answer
They hurt as much as any other injection, so it

depends on how well you usually handle the pain
of injections.
Question
I'm scared to get a shot in my buttocks, what do I

do?
Community Answer
Just don't think about it, and when the time comes
to do it, relax, take deep breaths, close your eyes
and imagine something you're looking forward to.
Question
What should I do if my daughter tries to run away

from me?
Community Answer
You may need to have another adult restrain her

while you give her an injection. It's not ideal, but if
you can't calm her down or reason with her, then
this might be necessary.
Warnings
It bears repeating that you should not attempt to

give an injection without thorough instruction from
your healthcare provider. This article is not meant
as a substitute for talking to a doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist about administering medication via
injection.
References
1. http://www.bd.com/resource.aspx?IDX=3866
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstr
uctions/000530.htm
3. https://www.stericycle.com/consumer-needle-dispos
al
uctions/000530.htm
uctions/000530.htm
6. http://www.bd.com/resource.aspx?IDX=3866
7. http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/injection.html
8. http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-give-a-subcutaneou
s-injection.html
s-injection.html
s-injection.html
12. http://www.drugs.com/search.php?searchterm=how+
to+give+an+insulin+injection
14. http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-give-an-intramuscul
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
ar-injection.html
25. https://www.pfizer.com/files/responsibility/protecting
_environment/Used-Sharps-Disposal-FAQ.pdf
26. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMed
icalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/Consume
rProducts/Sharps/
27. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMed
icalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/Consume
rProducts/Sharps/

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4/29/2020 4 Ways to Give an Injection - wikiHow

A note to our readers about COVID-19: ✖

Learn why people trust wikiHow

How to Give an Injection

It is possible to safely and accurately administer your

Determine what type of injection you are

Be familiar with the product packaging. Not

everything you need including syringes and

This means each vial contains only one dose.

Prepare a dose from a multi dose vial. Other

Gather your supplies. You will need the

Examine the medication. Be sure you have

expiration date has not passed. Be sure the

Wash your hands. Thoroughly clean your

It is recommended to wear FDA approved

Inspect the syringe and needle. Be sure the

Verify that you have the correct size and

length and gauge for the type of injection

Fill the syringe. Follow the packaging

Push the air back into the vial then withdraw

Get the patient comfortable. Consider

Determine the injection site based on your

One place that is good to give a subcutaneous

Proceed with the injection. Clean the skin on

Determine your angle of entry. Depending

To aspirate, pull the plunger back slightly and

Inject the medicine into the patient. Push

Administer an insulin injection. Insulin

insulin syringe when giving insulin.

Determine the injection site. An

Give the injection into the thigh. The vastus

This is a good site if you are giving yourself an

Use the ventrogluteal muscle. This muscle is

Give the injection into the buttocks. The

midpoint of that line, and move up three

Administer the injection in the upper arm.

Clean the skin on and around the site with

Hold the syringe firmly with your dominant

Insert the needle. Use your wrist to inject the

Carefully inject the medicine into the

Remove the needle in the same angle in which

Watch for an allergic reaction. Any new

Seek medical attention if you develop an

Monitor the injection site. Watch for changes

Dispose of used items safely. Sharps

Often, any opened vials of medication can be

Which syringe do I use for injecting

Use a sterile, suitable needle and syringe. As with

Does an injection hurt?

It depends on where on the body it is

Is there a name for a doctor that gives vaccines?

No, all doctors are trained to give vaccines, so

Do allergy shots hurt?

They hurt as much as any other injection, so it

I'm scared to get a shot in my buttocks, what do I

What should I do if my daughter tries to run away

You may need to have another adult restrain her

It bears repeating that you should not attempt to

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