How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection

Before You Begin

•  Inspect your medication upon arrival
• Read the vial label carefully for storage instructions and expiration date
• If you have any questions, contact your doctor or the pharmacy before use

What You’ll Need:

• Medication vial with prescription label
• Alcohol swabs
• U-100 insulin syringe
• Sharps container for disposal

Step 1: Choose an Injection Site

You can inject subcutaneously in one of three areas:

• Upper Arm – back of the arm, halfway between the shoulder and the elbow
• Abdomen (Belly) – below the ribs, above the hip bones, at least 2 inches from the navel
• Thigh – upper outer area of the front thigh

Step 2: Prepare the Medication

• Remove the foil from the vial if it’s your first use
• Wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab
• Attach a fresh needle to your syringe if it’s not pre-attached

Step 3: Load the Syringe

• Puncture the rubber stopper and draw the prescribed dose
• Keep the vial upright at a 90° angle
• Use the top edge of the plunger stopper to measure the dose accurately (e.g., 10 units = 0.1 mL)

Step 4: Clean and Pinch the Skin

• Sanitize the chosen injection site with a fresh alcohol swab
• Use your non-dominant hand to gently pinch 1–2 inches of skin

Step 5: Inject the Medication

• Hold the syringe like a pencil
• Insert the needle at a 90° angle in one steady motion
• Push the plunger down slowly to deliver the full dose

Step 6: Remove and Dispose

• Remove the needle gently and dispose of it in a sharps container
• Apply light pressure with a clean swab if bleeding occurs
• Massage the area lightly if needed

• Storage Conditions: Always check your vial label for storage instructions.
• Needle Size: U-100 insulin syringes with short, thin needles are ideal for subcutaneous injections.
• Avoid Reuse: Always use a new syringe and needle for each injection.

Properly disposing of used needles, syringes and sharps is essential. Follow these steps to handle used injection materials responsibly:

Use a Sharps Container

Always place used needles and syringes in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. These containers are typically made of puncture-resistant plastic with a tight, leak-resistant lid.

Do Not:

• Do not throw loose needles in the trash or recycling bin
• Do not flush needles down the toilet
• Do not recap, bend, or break used needles

What if I Don’t Have a Sharps Container?

If a proper container isn’t available, use a heavy-duty plastic container (like an empty laundry detergent bottle). It must be puncture-resistant, leak-proof and have a secure, screw-on lid. Be sure to clearly label it “Do Not Recycle – Sharps.”

Disposal Options

Once your sharps container is full, you have several disposal options. Many local pharmacies offer sharps disposal services, so check with yours first. You can also contact your local health department to find designated drop-off sites or community disposal programs in your area. In some cases, a mail-back sharps disposal service may be available and convenient for home use.

For more information on disposal of drugs, visit safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal.