How to Give Yourself Intramuscular Injections (206) 329-1760 STEPS: • Wash hands with soap and water; Gather your supplies and place them on a clean, dry surface • Remove plastic top on vial and wipe with alcohol swab • Remove needle cover and draw air into the syringe by pulling the plunger back to the correct volume, _____ mL • Insert needle straight into vial through the rubber top and inject air into the vial by pushing down on plunger deltoid (see diagram to the right) – do not use the same area for each injection, but instead be sure and rotate sites • Spread the skin at the site between your thumb and index finger using your non-dominant hand • Invert vial and be sure the needle is in the vial below the fluid level • With your dominant hand, hold the syringe like a dart at a 90 degree angle to the site • Draw back plunger to the correct mark, _____ mL • Insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick firm motion • Remove air bubbles in the syringe by flicking the syringe with your finger; if the air bubble is at the top of the syringe, push gently on the plunger so the air goes back to the vial • Inject the medicine slowly until the syringe is empty • Before removing the needle, be sure you have the proper amount in the syringe • Intramuscular injections are given into the muscle. To give yourself an injection you will use your thigh, buttocks, or • Take the needle out quickly at the angle in which it was injected and place gauze at the site with pressure to avoid bleeding • Throw away the needle in a sharps container or any hard-walled container. You may purchase a sharps container from any drug store. The King County Public Health website (www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices) has more information on sharps disposal. If you live outside King County, you may visit www.polyclinic.com/patient-forms for more options.