Giving Medicine by Subcutaneous Injection - The James (The James)
Giving Medicine by Subcutaneous Injection - The James (The James)
A subcutaneous injection, also called a sub Q or SQ shot, is one that is given into the layers of skin and fat on top of the muscle. Follow these steps for giving a subcutaneous injection. These are basic directions for giving medicine as a subcutaneous injection. Your medicine may have other steps needed. Always follow the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
Injectable medicines often come in prefilled syringes. The last part of the handout will give the steps for filling a syringe if your medicine comes in a bottle and you need to draw it up in the syringe before you can do the injection.
Things to know
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Select an injection site
- Some medicines are best given in certain areas (or sites) on your body. Your doctor or nurse will teach you the best sites to use for your shots.
- Use a different spot for each injection in a given area. For example, if you are to take two shots each day, you may give the first one on the left side of your abdomen. Then you use the right side of your abdomen for the second shot. Stay at least 1 inch away from the last injection site.
- Stay at least 2 inches away from the navel (or belly button) if the abdomen is used.
- Stay at least 2 inches away from scars. Scars will not absorb the medicine.
- Do not use an area that is bruised, swollen, or tender.
Decide where you are going to give the injection. Sites that can be used are:
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Before You Inject
- A new needle must be used with each injection.
- Check the dose (amount of medicine) to be given in this injection.
Giving the injection
1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. |
2. Choose the site you want to use and clean your skin with an alcohol pad using a circular motion. Let the alcohol dry. Do not fan or blow on it to dry it faster. | |
3. Pick up the prefilled syringe and check the label to be sure it is the right medicine. Carefully remove the needle cover.
4. For most medicines, you need to clear air from the syringe. With the needle pointed up, tap the syringe with your finger to move any air bubbles to the top.
5. Push on the plunger to clear any air out of the syringe, or to adjust the dose to the amount you are to take. The dark line on the end of the plunger should be on the line of the syringe for your dose amount. |
6. Hold the syringe like a dart and gently pinch up the skin at the site. |
7. With a quick motion, push the needle straight into the skin at a 90 degree angle. |
8. Let go of the skin (unless you are told not to) and inject the medicine slowly by pushing in the plunger. |
9. Pull the needle out of your skin and quickly press a clean alcohol pad or gauze onto the site. Do not rub the skin.
10. Hold pressure on the site for a few seconds. If you notice any bleeding or oozing, hold pressure on the site until it stops. |
11. Put the used syringe and needle into a puncture proof container with a cap or lid. Do not recap the needle.
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12 Wash your hands again with soap and warm water or use alcohol based hand sanitizer. 13. Mark the date, time and site of your injection on the calendar or record sheet. 14. Store any unused medicine as directed by your health care provider. |
If your need to fill the syringe
1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. 2. Get your supplies.
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3. Remove the plastic cap from the medicine bottle if it is a new bottle. Mark the medicine bottle with the date you opened it. Check with your health care provider for how long you can use the medicine bottle after it has been opened. |
4. Roll the medicine bottle between your hands to mix it. Do not shake it because it could make too many bubbles. |
5. Clean the top of the medicine bottle with an alcohol pad. Rub the top with the alcohol pad for 10 to 15 seconds and let it air dry. |
6. Pick up the syringe. Pull back on the plunger and draw air into the syringe equal to the amount of medicine needed. |
7. Take off the needle cover or cap. Put the needle into the middle of the top of the medicine bottle. |
8. Push down on the plunger to inject the air into the bottle. This will make it easier to get the medicine out of the bottle. |
9. With the needle still in the bottle, carefully turn the bottle upside down, so the bottle is on top and the syringe is down in your hand. Support the needle so it does not bend. |
10. With the needle in the medicine, pull back on the plunger to the amount ordered. |
11. Check for any bubbles in the syringe. Tap the barrel of the syringe to move any bubbles toward the needle. |
12 Push the plunger to push the air bubbles out of the syringe. You want to have the bubbles out to be sure you get the full dose of your medicine.
13. Adjust the plunger to draw up more medicine if needed.
14. Remove the needle from the bottle and set the medicine bottle down.
15. The syringe is ready for you to give the injection. If you are not going to give the injection right away, carefully replace the needle cover and set the syringe down. If you are ready to give the injection, go back to the section Giving the Injection to step 6 and proceed.
16. Store any unused medicine as directed by your health care provider.
© March 9, 2021. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.
For more health information, call the Patient and Family Resource Center at 614-366-0602 or visit cancer.osu.edu/PFRC
Last Revised: 3/9/2021
Author: OSUWMC
Medical Review: Patient Education