DIRECTIONS FOR USE: PREPARING AND INJECTING INSULIN
When injecting insulin, follow these simple steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- If you use cloudy insulin, gently roll the vial between your hands 10 times to mix, then gently invert the vial (from top to bottom) 10 times until the suspension becomes milky white
- Remove the vial cap and wipe the rubber top with an alcohol swab. Let dry.
- Uncap the needle.
- Draw the same volume of air as the insulin you need to inject.
- Insert the needle through the rubber top of the vial and slowly inject the air into the vial.
- Turn the vial upside down and slowly pull the plunger until you have drawn the correct volume of insulin, ensuring the needle is always in the insulin.
- Remove the needle from the vial and cap it immediately.
- If air bubbles are present in the syringe, hold the syringe vertically with the needle pointing upward. Gently tap the barrel of the syringe to move the bubbles to the top. Slowly push in the plunger until all the bubbles have disappeared.
-
Preferred injection sites include the abdomen, thighs, and top of the buttocks. It is recommended to rotate injection sites and points.
-
Clean the injection site with soap and water. If using an alcohol pad (e.g., at the hospital), allow the skin to dry before proceeding with the injection.
-
Inject the insulin and wait for 5 seconds before removing the needle from the skin.
Needles and syringes should only be used once and then thrown away since they may be dirty and blunt. Always use a sharps (disposal) container to safely discard used syringes and needles. Return the container to the pharmacy when it is full or you no longer need it.
Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection at the injection site!