How To Give Yourself An Intramuscular Injection
Intramuscular Administration Instructions
Important Note: Always use a clean, sterile needle every time
Attach an 18 gauge needle to the syringe and draw up the prescribed amount of medication. Then remove the 18 gauge needle and dispose of it in a sharps container.
Attach the 25 gauge needle to the syringe.
Look at your thigh and divide it horizontally into 3 equal parts. The injection will go in the outer middle third (See picture below).
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Remove needle cap.
With your non-dominant hand, spread the skin at the site between your thumb and index finger.
With your dominant hand, hold the syringe like a dart at a 90 degree angle and insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick, firm motion.
Supporting the syringe with the nondominant hand, pull the plunger back slightly with your dominant hand to check for blood.
a. If there is no blood in the syringe, inject the medicine slowly until the syringe is empty. Then take the needle out quickly, apply a cotton ball or gauze to the site and put pressure on the site for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Dispose of needle in sharps container.
b. If there is blood in the syringe, do not inject the medicine. Take the syringe out and throw it away in a sharps container. Apply gentle pressure on the site with a cotton ball or gauze for 30 seconds. Then start over to draw up a new dose of medication and inject at a new site.
