Your Self-Injection Guide
Step-by-step help for injecting safely and confidently at home — from reading your vial to disposing of your needle. Whether this is your first dose or your fiftieth, everything you need is right here.
Choose Your Guide
Your Rx Summary tells you which type of injection your medication requires. Pick the matching guide below.
Subcutaneous (Sub-Q)
Delivered into the fat layer between skin and muscle, where it absorbs slowly. All GLP medications are given this way.
Open The Sub-Q Guide →Intramuscular (IM)
Delivered deep into muscle tissue, where it absorbs quickly. Used for vitamin boosters and select treatments.
Open The IM Guide →Read & Verify Your Vial
Why your vial looks half empty, what concentration actually means, and how to confirm your order is complete.
Open The Vial Guide →Five Things To Do Before Every Injection
These apply no matter which medication you're taking or which method you're using.
Always Check Your Rx Summary First
Concentrations vary from pharmacy to pharmacy and from medication to medication. Your dose in units depends on the concentration of the vial in your hand — never assume it matches your last refill.
Confirm Your Dose In Units
Read the instructions on your medication and your Rx Summary. You will draw up your dose by units, not milligrams.
Wash Your Hands
Soap and warm water, then dry completely before you handle your supplies.
Clean The Vial Top
Wipe with alcohol before each use to keep the medication sterile, and let it dry completely before you puncture it.
Rotate Your Site
Use a different spot each time, at least 1 inch from your last injection. This prevents scarring and skin changes.
One Needle, One Use
Never reuse or share a needle or syringe. Straight into the sharps container when you're finished.
Sub-Q vs. IM at a Glance
Two different techniques for two different depths. Your Rx Summary specifies which one your medication uses.
| Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) | Intramuscular (IM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where It Goes | The fat layer between skin and muscle | Deep into the muscle tissue |
| How It Absorbs | Slowly into the bloodstream | Quickly into the bloodstream |
| Typical Angle | 90° or 45°, depending on how much skin you can pinch | 90°, straight up and down |
| Common Sites | Abdomen, front or outer thigh, back of the upper arm | Deltoid, outer thigh, ventrogluteal hip |
| Volume | Very small amounts of medicine | Larger volumes than Sub-Q |
| Commonly Used For | All GLP medications | Vitamin boosters and other medications needing rapid or sustained absorption |
| Full Instructions | Sub-Q Guide → | IM Guide → |
Disposing Of Needles And Syringes
Used needles never belong in your household trash. Here's what to do instead.
- Use a hard plastic sharps container made for used syringes and needles, if you have one.
- No sharps container? A soda bottle or other plastic bottle with a screw lid works.
- Make sure the syringe and needle fit inside easily and cannot break through the sides.
- Keep the lid on and store the container out of reach of children and pets.
Questions We Hear Most
My Vial Looks Half Empty — Did I Get Shorted?
Almost certainly not. These medications are highly potent in very small doses, so a partially filled vial is completely normal. The label shows concentration or strength, not the total milligrams in the vial.
The Read & Verify Vials Guide walks through the math so you can confirm your order yourself.
How Do I Know Whether My Medication Is Sub-Q Or IM?
Your Rx Summary specifies the route for your medication. All GLP medications are given subcutaneously. If your summary indicates intramuscular, follow the IM guide instead.
How Many Units Do I Draw Up?
It depends on the concentration of your specific vial — the milligrams of medication per milliliter. Concentrations vary between pharmacies and between medications, so always review the Rx Summary for the medication in your hand before injecting.
Do I Need Someone To Help Me?
Most people inject themselves without help. The one exception is the upper arm for a Sub-Q injection — that site requires another person, because you can't properly grasp the skin at the back of your own arm.
How Do I Keep Track Of Where I Injected Last Time?
Write down the date, time, and site every time you inject. Each new injection should be at least 1 inch away from the last one. The Sub-Q guide includes a rotation tracker you can use right on the page.
Should I Pull Back On The Plunger To Check For Blood?
No. Aspirating before an intramuscular injection is no longer recommended as routine practice at the sites we use. Insert and inject in one smooth, steady motion. Full instructions are in the IM guide.
Still Have A Question?
Our team is happy to walk through your dose, your vial, or your technique with you before you inject.
This guide is general education for Lavender Sky Health patients and does not replace the specific instructions on your prescription or the guidance of your care team. Always follow your Rx Summary for your medication, dose, and route.