These steps are for Compounded Injectable Semaglutide and Compounded Injectable Tirzepatide. Follow the instructions for your medication and draw only the amount shown in your prescription instructions.
Prepare your injection
- Check the Beyond Use Date on the vial. Do not use medication past that date. If you use semaglutide, discard the vial 28 days after first use, even if the Beyond Use Date has not passed.
- Wash your hands. Place your supplies on a clean, flat surface.
- Choose an injection site. You can use the fatty layer of your abdomen or the front or side of your thigh. For semaglutide, you can also use your upper arm. For tirzepatide, the back of your upper arm can be used if someone is helping you.
- If you use tirzepatide, avoid skin that is bruised, red, scarred, or hard.
- Clean the site with an alcohol pad. Let it dry fully. Rotate sites each week.
Prepare the medication
- Wipe the top of the vial with a fresh alcohol pad.
- Pull the syringe plunger back slightly to draw in a small amount of air.
- Insert the needle into the vial and push the air into it.
- Turn the vial upside down. Draw the prescribed amount shown in your instructions.
- Gently tap the syringe to move air bubbles upward. Press the plunger until a small drop appears at the needle tip.
Give the injection
- Pinch a small fold of skin.
- For semaglutide, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle. For tirzepatide, use a 90-degree angle, or a 45-degree angle if you are very lean. Insert the needle fully.
- Slowly press the plunger until the medication is injected. Pull the syringe straight out.
- Apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball if needed. Do not rub.
- Put the used needle and syringe in a sharps container right away. Never reuse them.
Mild bleeding or bruising can happen. Contact your care team if you have persistent or painful swelling.
Need more help?
Contact the support team. See How do I contact support?.