How to Inject Your GLP-1 Medication: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before You Begin: What You'll Need

Your compounded GLP-1 medication arrives as a multi-dose vial with separate syringes, or as a pre-filled pen. Before your first injection, gather the following:

• Your medication vial or pen
• A new, sterile syringe (if using a vial)
• An alcohol swab
• A sharps disposal container
• A clean, well-lit surface

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling any supplies.

Step-by-Step Injection Guide

Step 1: Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry them completely. This is the single most important step for preventing infection.

Step 2: Prepare Your Injection Site

Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab using a circular motion. Allow it to air-dry for 10–15 seconds before injecting — injecting into wet skin can cause stinging.

Step 3: Draw Your Dose (Vial Users Only)

If using a multi-dose vial, pull back the syringe plunger to draw in air equal to your prescribed dose. Insert the needle into the vial stopper, push in the air, then invert the vial and draw out your dose. Check for air bubbles — tap the syringe and push them out before injecting.

If using a pre-filled pen, simply dial to your prescribed dose. Skip this step.

Step 4: Pinch and Inject

Pinch a fold of skin at your chosen injection site between your thumb and forefinger. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle (or 45 degrees if you have very little body fat). Push the plunger slowly and steadily until the dose is fully delivered. Hold for 5 seconds before withdrawing.

Do not rub the injection site after withdrawing — this can cause bruising.

Step 5: Dispose Safely

Place used needles and syringes immediately into your sharps container. Never recap needles or place them in regular household trash. When your sharps container is three-quarters full, follow your local guidelines for disposal (many pharmacies accept full sharps containers).

Rotating Injection Sites

Rotate your injection site with each dose. Injecting in the same spot repeatedly can cause lipohypertrophy — a buildup of fatty tissue under the skin that can reduce medication absorption. A simple rotation schedule is to move at least 1 inch from your previous injection site within the same area, cycling through abdomen, thigh, and upper arm over time.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

If you miss a dose and your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next scheduled dose is within 2 days, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Never inject two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.

Common Injection Concerns

Stinging or burning: Allow the medication to reach room temperature before injecting (remove from the refrigerator 15–30 minutes before use). Make sure the injection site is fully dry after swabbing.

Bruising: Avoid injecting into areas with visible veins. Do not rub the site after injection. Bruising is common and usually resolves within a few days.

Redness or swelling: Mild redness at the injection site is normal and typically resolves within 24 hours. If you notice significant swelling, warmth, or signs of infection, contact your RxVigor care team immediately.