Tirzepatide 9mg/ml (2ml)

What items do I need to give a shot? 

• One alcohol wipe.
• Vial containing the injectable medication.
• The correct size needle and syringe (included in your package)
• You may want to use gloves for your protection or the protection of the person getting the shot.

Syringe Education

• 1cc Insulin syringe (displays units): Each line on the barrel of an insulin syringe is equal to 10 units medication. So, if your doctor orders 100 units of medication, you will draw enough medication to fill the syringe to the ‘10’ line. 
• 1ml Luer lock syringe (displays fractioned mL/cc): each line on the barrel an insulin syringe is equal to 10 units of medication. So, if your doctor orders 100 units of the medication, you will draw enough medication to fill the syringe to the ‘0.1’ line. 
• Larger syringes are not recommended for certain injection administration.

How to draw up the medication

1. Use an alcohol wipe to cleanse the rubber stopper.
2. With a fresh, unused syringe, pull back on the plunger to the amount you are injecting, bringing air into the syringe. Your doctor will decide the dose and frequency that you will be using the medication which will be provided in these instructions.
3. Now, remove the plastic cap from the needle. Insert the needle into the vial and slowly push (inject) the air from the syringe into the vial. This will displace the liquid in the vial when you withdraw the medication.
4. Turn the vial and syringe upside down and carefully draw the fl­uid back into the syringe to the line designating the desired amount of medication. If you see any air bubbles, lightly tap or ­flick the syringe to draw the bubbles to the top (the end with the needle) and expel the air. Note that a small amount of medication may be released as well. This is normal. You are now ready to inject.

Subcutaneous Injections 

Subcutaneous shots can be given straight in at a 90-degree angle, or at a 45-degree angle. You can give the shot at a 90-degree angle if 2 inches of skin can be grasped between your thumb and first (index) finger. If only 1 inch of skin can be grasped, give the shot at a 45-degree angle

Where can I give a subcutaneous shot?

 There are many sites on the body that are safe to give Subcutaneous shots.

• Upper Arm: Uncover the arm to the shoulder to see the whole arm. Have the person getting the shot stand with hand on hip. Stand next to and a little behind the person. Find the area in the middle part of the arm, halfway between the elbow and shoulder. Gently grasp the skin at the back of the arm between your thumb and first 2 fingers. You should have 1-2 inches of skin.
• Abdomen: Uncover the abdomen to see the whole area. Find the waist area. You may give a shot bounded by these landmarks: below the waist, to just above the hip bone, and from where the body curves at the side to about 2 inches from the middle of the abdomen. Use the natural line in the middle of the body as a marker. It may be hard to see, but it is there unless it is covered by surgery. Avoid the surrounding area 2 inches from the bellybutton.
• Thigh: Uncover the entire leg. Find the area between the knee and hip. The middle of the thigh, from mid-front to mid-side, on the outside part of the thigh is a safe site. Gently grasp the area to make sure you can pinch 1-2 inches of skin.

How do I inject medication into subcutaneous tissue?

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them completely.
• Open the foil containing the alcohol wipe.
• Using the alcohol wipe, wipe the area where you plan to give the shot.  Let the area dry.
• Take the cover off the needle by holding the syringe with your writing hand and pulling the cover with your other hand. It is like taking a cap off a pen.
• If you give the shot at a 45-degree angle, hold the syringe in your writing hand. Place the syringe between your thumb and your index second fingers. The needle should be pointing upwards or downwards at the 45-degree angle you plan to use.
• If you give the shot at a 90-degree angle, hold the syringe with your writing hand.  Hold the syringe under your thumb and first finger. Let the barrel of the syringe rest on your second finger. (Many people hold a pen this way when they write.)
• Grasp the skin with the hand not holding the syringe. Holding the syringe barrel tightly with your writing hand, use your wrist to insert the needle through the skin. Sometimes the needle goes in easily. Some people have tougher skin and a little more pressure or quickness is required.
• Once the needle is all the way in, push the plunger down slowly to inject the syringe’s contents.
• Remove the needle from the same angle as it went in.
• Dispose of the syringe and needle in a sharps container.

How do I dispose of used syringes and needles? 

You can purchase a Sharps Container, a hard-plastic container made for used syringes and needles, at your local pharmacy. If you did not purchase this container with your medication, you can use a hard-plastic container with a screw-on top such as a clothing softener or hard plastic detergent bottle. Be sure you can put both the syringe and the needle into the container easily. Whatever container you choose, be sure needles cannot break through the sides, bottom or top. Call your primary care physician or your local pharmacy to find out what your state or local requirements are for disposing of used syringes and needles.