Before your first injection
If you're injecting for the first time, complete the in-person or video demonstration that your prescriber or pharmacist provides. Watching the manufacturer's instructional video at least twice before your first self-injection significantly improves technique and reduces anxiety. The actual injection is brief (5-10 seconds), often less painful than expected, and gets easier with each subsequent dose.
Step-by-step injection guide
1. Gather supplies
- pen (verify dose and expiration date)
- New disposable pen needle (if your pen requires separate needles)
- Alcohol swab
- Cotton ball or gauze
- FDA-cleared sharps disposal container
2. Prepare the pen
Take out of the refrigerator 10-20 minutes before injecting — cold medication injects more painfully. Inspect the pen: medication should be clear, colorless, and free of particles. Do NOT use if cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particles. Verify the pen hasn't expired and confirm the dose dial is set to your prescribed dose.
3. Choose your injection site
is injected subcutaneously — into the fat layer just under the skin. Three approved sites:
- Abdomen — at least 2 inches (5 cm) from your belly button, anywhere in the soft area. Avoid scars, stretch marks, broken skin, or recent injection sites.
- Upper outer thigh — front-outer area of your thigh, midway between knee and hip.
- Back of upper arm — fatty area of the upper arm, midway between shoulder and elbow. Harder to self-inject; often requires help.
Rotate sites with each dose.Don't inject in the same spot two weeks in a row — rotating prevents skin lipohypertrophy (a fatty buildup that alters absorption).
4. Clean the site
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab, then let it air-dry for 10-15 seconds (injecting through wet alcohol stings).
5. Attach the needle (if applicable)
If your pen requires a separate disposable needle: remove the protective tab from the new needle, screw onto the pen tip, remove the outer plastic cap, then remove the inner needle shield. Use a new needle for every injection — reusing dulls the needle and increases pain + infection risk.
6. Prime the pen (first use)
For new pens, prime by dialing 1-2 units and pressing the dose button with needle pointing up until a drop of medication appears at the needle tip. This removes air and confirms the pen is working. Reset to your prescribed dose after priming.
7. Inject
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site (helps target the fat layer, not muscle). Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle (straight in). Press and hold the dose button until you hear/feel the click and see the dose counter return to 0. Count slowly to 6-10 seconds before removing the needle — this ensures the full dose is delivered.