Injection Methods and Injection Sites

Subcutaneous injection method: Generally speaking, the injection pen is mainly used for subcutaneous injection of drugs, the injection part can be selected from the abdomen, the outer thighs, the lateral or posterior part of the upper arm, and the outer part of the upper buttocks, and it is generally not allowed to be injected intravenously or intramuscularly.

In order to accurately predict the efficacy of the drug, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the principle of ‘injecting the same part of the body at the same time every day’, ‘injecting different parts of the body at different times of the day’ or ‘rotating the left and right sides of the body’, for example, injecting the abdomen in the morning and the upper arm at noon every day. For example, the abdomen should be injected in the morning, the upper arm at noon every day, and the thigh in the evening every day. The injection site can be divided into two areas, and one area can be used every week, i.e., the left side of the body for one week and the right side of the body for another week. When injecting in any one area, two consecutive injections should be about 3cm apart, and try to avoid using the same injection point repeatedly within a month.

Note: Once you notice the appearance of pain, depression and hardness at the injection site, you should immediately stop injecting at that site until the symptoms disappear.

Daily and weekly injection rotation programme

With shorter (4-mm or 5-mm) needles, skin pinching was not required in most patients and 90° needle entry was possible; with longer (≥6-mm) needles, skin pinching and/or 45° needle entry were required to reduce the risk of intramuscular injection.

Note: Wash and dry your hands and sterilise the injection site before any injection. If you have any questions about the injection method, please consult your hospital pharmacist.

Methods of insulin injection pens

① Check the injection pen: check the name of the drug, dosage, expiry date and whether the liquid is clear and colourless to light yellow, does not contain particles, and bubbles are normal; the window shows green normally.

② Preheat the injection pen at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, do not heat.

③ Remove the blue cap along the horizontal, hold the injection pen, pinch up the skin, feed the needle vertically, press the injection pen and hold it firmly at the injection site, press the yellow safety cap until it is not visible and make sure that the window can be seen.

④ Press the green button with your thumb: when you hear a ‘click’ sound, the pen starts to inject, and continue to fix the pen to the skin; when the window turns completely yellow, the injection is complete, and another ‘click’ sound can be heard.

⑤ Remove the needle quickly and do not rub the skin; if there is bleeding, press with a cotton ball or gauze.

⑥ Dispose of the injection pen and cap into a puncture-resistant container immediately after use, without capping back the blue needle cap.

Directions for use of Simeglutide/Liraglutide Injection Pen

① Check the injection pen and install a new needle: make sure that the solution in the injection pen is clear and colourless, tear off the protective sheet, install the needle into the injection pen, tighten it, remove the outer needle cap and the inner needle cap in turn, and store the outer needle cap properly.

②Remove air when using for the first time: turn the dose selection button until the needle aligns with the airflow check mark. With the needle pointing upwards, push the injection knob until the dose display returns to the ‘0’ position and a drop should appear at the tip of the needle. If not, repeat the procedure.

③ Dose selection: Adjust the dose selection knob to the therapeutic dose to be injected.

④ Injection: Insert the needle into the skin and keep pressing down the dosage button until the dose display returns to the ‘0’ position, wait for 6 seconds and then pull out the needle.

⑤ Post-injection handling: close the outer cap, unscrew the needle carefully and dispose of it safely, attach the cap back to the injection pen and protect it from light.

Note: A new special needle is required for each injection.

How to use Dulaglutide Injection Pen

① Unscrew: Unscrew the protective cap, make sure the pen is locked, pull out and discard the grey bottom cap.

② Turn: Rotate the switch to unlock, turn the lock ring to unlock and make sure the indicator points to the green icon.

③ Press: Press and hold, sterilise the injection site, insert the needle at 90 degrees, press and hold the green injection button against the skin, and continue to hold it still when the first ‘click’ is heard.

④ Remove: Remove the pen until the second ‘click’ is heard and the grey plunger springs back, indicating that the injection is complete and the pen can be removed and discarded.

Use of various types of insulin injection pens

① Check the refill for integrity and cracks before installation. Twist open the refill holder, load the refill, take out the needle, open the package, tighten the needle clockwise, and remove the needle protective cap.

② Perform this operation every time you change the insulin cartridge. Set the dose adjustment knob to ‘2’ units, the needle tip upward upright, finger flick cartridge, so that the air bubbles gathered in the upper part, press the injection button until a drop of liquid from the needle overflow, that is, the air bubbles in the cartridge has been discharged, such as unsuccessful, then repeat this operation.

③ Turn the dose adjustment knob to the desired number of injection units.

④ Routinely sterilise the injection site, pinch up the skin of the injection site, enter the needle vertically and quickly, press the injection button to inject, the needle should stay under the skin for at least 10 seconds after injection, pull out the needle quickly, and put on the pen cap for storage.

Note: The needle should be changed for each injection to avoid pain caused by dulling of the needle and to avoid affecting the accuracy of the next injection dose.

The information is from the Internet and is for reference only.