Intramuscular Injection (Self-injection)

Intramuscular Injection

A needle passes through skin and fat layers into the muscle fibers to deliver medicine.

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Prior to Procedure

• Make sure you have all of the items that you will need (such as syringe, medicine, and cleaning materials).
• Make sure that you have the right medicine and that it has not expired.
• Wash hands with warm, soapy water before giving the injection.
• Select a site for injection. This should be an area on your body with a large muscle (such as the thigh).
• Cleanse the area with an alcohol wipe.

Description of Procedure

To inject yourself:

• Remove the needle cap.
• Smooth the skin with one hand.
• Hold the syringe the way you would a pencil. Insert the needle at a 90° angle to the skin. (The needle should be completely covered by skin).
• Hold the syringe with one hand. With the other, pull back the plunger to check for blood in the syringe.
  • If you see blood, do not inject. Withdraw the needle and start again at a new site.
  • If you do not see blood, slowly press down on the plunger until it stops.
• Remove the needle from the skin.
• If there is bleeding at the site of injection, apply a bandage.
• Immediately put the syringe and needle into a container that is puncture-proof.
• Find out what services are available in your area for disposing of biological waste.

Will It Hurt?

Depending on the medicine, there is usually some discomfort at the injection site. Soreness in the muscle is also common.

Tips for minimizing pain include:

• Inject medicine that is at room temperature.
• Remove all air bubbles from the syringe before the injection.
• Relax the muscles in the injection area.
• Quickly break through the skin.
• Do not change the direction of the needle as it goes in or comes out.
• Do not reuse disposable needles.

Care After Injection

Follow your doctor's instructions for general care.