Your provider has prescribed a peptide that you will inject at home. This guide walks you through the process step by step. If this is your first time, your provider or nurse will demonstrate the injection technique before you do it on your own. Do not hesitate to ask questions.

Gather all supplies before you begin. You will need:

• Your peptide medication (vial from the refrigerator)
• Insulin syringe (the size your provider prescribed, typically 0.5 mL or 1 mL with a 29–31 gauge needle)
• Alcohol swabs (individually wrapped)
• Sharps container (a puncture-proof container for used needles)
• Clean, flat surface to work on
• Gauze pad or cotton ball (optional, to apply gentle pressure after injection)

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Dry with a clean towel.
2. Gather your supplies and place them on a clean, flat surface. Check the expiration date on your medication. Look at the liquid — it should be clear and free of particles or cloudiness.
3. Clean the vial top with a fresh alcohol swab. Let it air dry for a few seconds.
4. Draw up your medication. Remove the syringe cap. Pull back the plunger to draw in air equal to your dose. Insert the needle into the vial, push in the air, then turn the vial upside down. Pull the plunger back to fill the syringe to your prescribed dose. Tap the syringe gently and push out any air bubbles. (Your provider will demonstrate this technique.)
5. Choose your injection site and clean it with a fresh alcohol swab. Let the area air dry completely. See the injection site rotation section below.
6. Pinch the skin at the injection site between your thumb and forefinger. This lifts the fatty tissue away from the muscle.
7. Insert the needle at a 45 to 90 degree angle (your provider will tell you which angle to use). Use a quick, smooth motion — like throwing a dart.
8. Inject the medication slowly by pushing the plunger down with steady pressure. Take about 5 seconds.
9. Wait 5 to 10 seconds before removing the needle. This helps ensure all the medication is delivered.
10. Remove the needle and release the pinched skin. Apply gentle pressure with a gauze pad or cotton ball if needed. Do not rub the injection site.
11. Dispose of the needle immediately in your sharps container. Never recap a used needle. Never throw loose needles in the trash.

Rotate your injection site each time to prevent irritation and lumps under the skin. Common injection areas include:

• Abdomen: The area around your belly button, at least 2 inches away from the navel. This is the most common site. Avoid the waistline area.
• Thighs: The front or outer part of the upper thigh, about midway between your hip and knee.
• Upper arms: The back of the upper arm (this area may be easier with help from another person).

Tip: Move at least 1 inch from your last injection site. You can rotate clockwise around your belly, alternate thighs, or switch between areas each day.

After your injection, it is normal to see:

• A small drop of blood at the injection site
• Minor redness that goes away within an hour or two
• A tiny bruise at the injection site (this is harmless)
• A slight stinging sensation for a minute or two

These are all normal and do not mean anything went wrong.

Used needles and syringes must be disposed of safely:

• Always place used needles directly into a sharps container right after use.
• Never throw needles in the regular trash, recycling, or toilet.
• When your sharps container is about three-quarters full, seal it and dispose of it according to your local regulations.
• Many pharmacies, hospitals, and waste management programs accept sharps containers. Ask your provider or pharmacist about options near you.
• If you do not have a sharps container, use a heavy-duty plastic container with a screw-on lid (such as a laundry detergent bottle) as a temporary solution. Label it "SHARPS — DO NOT RECYCLE."