How to give yourself a GLP-1 injection
Follow these 4 simple steps to inject your medication safely and confidently.
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Before you start
- 2 Alcohol swabs
- 1 syringe
- Medication vial
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Preparing to inject
- Remove the vial from the refrigerator.
- Check the vial label to make sure you have the right medicine and that it has not expired.
- Make sure the medicine is not frozen or cloudy, and is colorless to slightly yellow without particles.
- Always use a new syringe and needle for each injection to prevent infections and blocked needles. Do not reuse or share your syringes or needles with other people.
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Filling the syringe
- Pull off the plastic protective cap from your vial. Wipe the the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Use a second swab to clean your injection site (abdomen, thigh, or underarm).
- Remove the caps from both ends of the syringe—first the plunger end, then the needle. Be careful when handling the needle.
- Insert the needle into the vial, flip the vial upside down, and slowly pull the plunger to draw up the prescribed number of units. Remove the needle when done.
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Inject the medication
Common injection sites: abdomen, thigh or arm.
- Pinch the fat at the cleaned injection site. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and press the plunger until all the medication is delivered.
- Pull needle out of your skin press the injection site with a piece of gauze or an alcohol swab. Do not recap the needle. Recapping the needle can lead to a needle stick injury.
- Place the used syringe in a sharps container or sealed hard plastic bottle. Keep all supplies stored securely and out of reach of children.