Your healthcare provider has prescribed a medicine that you will need to inject through your skin. This is done with an autoinjector. It is a small device with a hidden needle. The needle is activated by a spring. This makes giving yourself a shot easy. It also makes it easy for someone else to give you a shot if you can’t do it yourself. There is no need to look for the best injection site or to give the shot in the buttocks or arm. Use any site on the outer side of your thigh. The shot can be given through clothing if necessary. Be sure your family members and friends know where to give the shot.
Inject your medicine as often as advised by your healthcare provider. Follow any instructions from your healthcare provider about the medicine. To give yourself a shot:
Remove the safety cap from the autoinjector. This activates it.
Point the tip of the autoinjector at the outer side of your thigh. Jab it against your thigh. This releases a spring-activated plunger that pushes the needle into the thigh muscle and gives you a dose of medicine. Hold the pen in place for
Dispose of the autoinjector as instructed.
If your autoinjector is for emergency medicine (such as epinephrine for an allergic reaction), call
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.
Call
Racing pulse
Wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing
Stomach cramping, diarrhea, or vomiting
Hoarse voice
Swollen lips, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or feeling like your throat is closing
Itchy, blotchy skin or hives
Pale, cool, damp skin
Confusion
Drowsiness, fainting, or loss of consciousness