Note
Before you start
- Wash your hands.
- Check the pen: right medicine, not expired, liquid clear (not cloudy or full of particles).
- Attach a new needle if your pen uses screw-on tips; never reuse needles.
- Some pens need a small “flow check” / priming step — check your leaflet.
Where to inject
These are subcutaneous injections (into the fat just under the skin), not into muscle or vein. Usual sites:
- Abdomen — at least ~5 cm away from the belly button.
- Front of the thighs.
- Back of the upper arms (easier with help).
Step by step
- Clean the site with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
- Pinch a fold of skin if advised for your pen/needle length.
- Insert the needle (usually at 90°) and press the button to deliver the dose.
- Hold for the count stated in your leaflet (often ~6–10 seconds) so the full dose goes in.
- Withdraw, dispose of the needle safely, and note the date/dose.
Rotate your sites
Use a different spot each time (and rotate between abdomen, thigh and arm) to avoid lumps and skin changes. A simple pattern — e.g. “clockwise around the abdomen” — helps you remember.
Safe sharps disposal in SA
Never put needles in your normal bin. Use a proper sharps container (available from pharmacies); many pharmacies and clinics will take a full container back for safe disposal. Ask your pharmacist about local arrangements.
Storing your pen
These medicines need the cold chain: keep unopened pens refrigerated (typically 2–8 °C), don't freeze, and follow the leaflet on how long an in-use pen can stay at room temperature. This is also why delivery is couriered cold. Your provider or pharmacist will show you in person
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