Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Remove the cap from your insulin bottle. Clean the top of your uncapped insulin bottle with an alcohol wipe. Uncover the needle attached to the syringe. Pull up on the plunger and fill the syringe with the same amount of air as the amount of insulin you are prescribed. Place the needle in your insulin bottle. Push fully down on the plunger. Pull up on the syringe and fill it with your prescribed amount. Check for air bubbles within the insulin inside the syringe. If there are any air bubbles, empty the syringe and refill it until there are none. Point the syringe upward. Push on the plunger until a drop of insulin comes from the tip of the needle. Clean the side of the injection with an alcohol wipe. Use the index finger and thumb of one hand to gently pinch up a bit of skin. With the other hand, fully inject the needle at a 90 degree angle to the skin. Release the pinched skin and press the plunger all the way in to release the insulin. Leave the syringe in place for 10 seconds. Correctly dispose of the entire syringe.
Online Medical Reviewer: Hurd, Robert, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN
Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2021
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Learn More About Health Services at PIH Health
Expert care for every stage of life. Explore the comprehensive services offered at PIH Health.
Explore Services
Get Health Tips & Updates
Sign up for helpful health information, wellness tips and news from PIH Health, delivered straight to your inbox.
SubscribeRelated Articles
Diabetes Support: Loved Ones and Friends
Learn the many feelings that your loved ones might have about your diagnosis, and the importance of honest and open communication.
The Importance of Healthy Eating When You Have Diabetes
Learn how making a variety of healthy food choices can help bring your blood glucose into a healthy range.
Setting Long-Term Diabetes Self-Management Goals
Understand what long-term behavior goals are, and learn how choosing long-term goals one at a time, can help you make healthy changes that last a lifetime.
Diabetes and Emotions: Turning Negatives into Positives
See how having a positive attitude can help you manage your diabetes.
Personalized Care Starts with the Right Provider
Search by specialty, location, and more.
Find A Doctor
Make an Appointment
Your health can't always wait. Schedule an appointment with a PIH Health provider.
Schedule an Appointment
Find a PIH Health Urgent Care Location
Need care today?. Find the nearest PIH Health Urgent Care location.
Find Urgent Care
