PATIENT RESOURCE
Intramuscular (IM)
Self-Injection Guide
Everything you learned at your injection training, in one place. Tap a section to jump to it.
INJECTION SITES
Find the Right Spot.
SHOULDER
Deltoid
Locate the acromion process, the bony point at the top of your shoulder.
Place three fingers just below the acromion process.
Inject just below your fingers, in the thickest middle part of the deltoid muscle. This area avoids major nerves and blood vessels.
Keep your arm relaxed before injecting.
SIDE OF UPPER THIGH
Vastus Lateralis
This muscle is on the outer middle third of your thigh.
Place one hand just below the greater trochanter (the bony point at the top of your thigh near the hip).
Place your other hand just above the outer part of your knee.
Inject at the midpoint between your hands, on the outer side of the thigh.
FRONT OF HIP
Ventrogluteal
Stand in front of a mirror, or lie on your side with your leg slightly bent and relaxed.
Find the iliac crest, the bony point at the top of your hip on the side of your body.
Find the greater trochanter, the large rounded bone on the side of your upper thigh.
Inject roughly halfway between these two landmarks, a little toward the front of your hip.
Rotate your injection sites. Switch sides and alternate between your shoulders, thighs, and hips with each injection. Rotating sites reduces soreness and helps prevent scar tissue from building up.
STEP-BY-STEP
Your Self-Injection Procedure.
Prepare
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Use a new, sterile syringe and needle.
Draw Up Your Medication
Pull air into the syringe equal to the amount of medication you’ll draw up.
Clean the top of the medication vial with an alcohol swab.
Insert the needle and inject all of the air into the vial.
Keep the needle in the vial, turn the vial upside down, and draw up your prescribed dose.
Tap out any air bubbles and gently push the plunger until only medication remains in the needle hub.
Place the cap back on the needle.
Choose and Clean Your Site
Choose your injection site: deltoid, vastus lateralis, or ventrogluteal. Remember to rotate.
Clean the area with an alcohol swab.
Let the site dry completely on its own. Don’t fan or blow on it.
Inject
Hold the syringe like a dart in your dominant hand.
Remove the needle cap just before injecting.
Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle in one quick, steady motion.
Slowly push the plunger to inject the medication. Take your time to reduce discomfort.
Finish
Remove the needle swiftly.
Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a cotton ball. Don’t rub.
Place the used needle and syringe in your sharps container.
Wash your hands again.
WHEN TO CALL
Know What’s Normal and What’s Not.
Mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two is normal. Contact TitanX Men’s Health if you notice:
Pain that seems out of proportion: severe, worsening, or lasting longer than expected
Redness or swelling that spreads or gets worse
Drainage from the injection site
Fever or chills
Call 911 for signs of an allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, widespread hives, or feeling faint.
For non-emergency questions, message us through your secure patient portal or HIPAA-secure encrypted text.
SHARPS DISPOSAL
Dispose of Needles Safely.
Niagara CountyHealth and Wellness Resource Page. Find your nearest syringe container disposal: CLICK HERE
Go to the upper right corner of the screen and click “Select a type of disposal location.” Select “Sharps Disposal.”
Erie CountyExpanded Syringe Access Program. Find your nearest syringe container disposal: CLICK HERE
Go to the upper left corner of the screen and click “I am looking for…” Select “Expanded Syringe Access Program.”
ANYWHERE IN NEW YORK
New York State requires hospitals and nursing homes to accept properly contained household sharps for disposal.
No sharps container? Use a puncture-proof plastic bottle with a tight screw-top lid and label it “Contains Sharps.” Never use glass, and never put sharps in your recycling.
STORAGE
Medication Beyond-Use Dates and Vial Sterility.
Your injectable medication has a Beyond-Use Date (BUD) set by the dispensing pharmacy. This date marks the period during which the medication is considered suitable for use when stored and handled according to the pharmacy’s instructions. The BUD varies by medication and formulation. Always follow the BUD printed on your prescription label, and never use medication beyond this date.
Proper storage and sterile injection technique are essential to maintaining medication quality and minimizing the risk of contamination. Always follow the dispensing pharmacy’s storage, handling, and vial-discard instructions, including any requirements that apply after the vial is first punctured. Never use medication that appears contaminated, discolored, or otherwise abnormal. If you have questions about storage, expiration dates, or vial integrity, contact TitanX Men’s Health before administering your medication.