Discharge Instructions: Giving Yourself an Intramuscular (IM) Injection

Your healthcare provider has prescribed a medicine that must be given by intramuscular (IM) injection. IM injections use a needle and syringe to send medicine to large muscles in your body. IM injections are usually given in the thigh, hip, or upper arm.

You were shown how to give yourself an IM injection in the hospital. This sheet will help you remember those steps when you are at home.

Step 1. Get ready

Gather your supplies. You’ll need: 

• Medicine

• Syringe

• 2 needles (one for drawing the medicine from the vial, another for giving the injection)

• Alcohol pads

• 2-by-2-inch gauze pad

• A special container to throw out the used needles and syringe (sharps container). You can buy a sharps container at a drugstore or medical supply store. You can also use an empty laundry detergent bottle, or any other puncture-proof container and lid.

Wash your hands well before and after all IM injections.

Step 2. Prepare your medicine

• Be sure you have the right medicine. Look at the label on the medicine bottle and make sure it matches the name of the medicine you were prescribed.

• Check the expiration date. If it is past this date, throw the medicine away.

• Don’t use the medicine if it is discolored or has anything floating in it.

• Clean the top of the bottle each time with an alcohol pad. Don’t touch the top of the bottle after it has been cleaned with the alcohol.

Step 3. Prepare your needle and syringe

• Attach the needle to the syringe, with the needle cap still on.

• Take the needle cap off the needle and pull back on the end of the syringe (plunger).

• Draw air into the syringe. The amount of air should be equal to the amount of medicine you need to take. Be careful. Don’t touch the needle.

• Insert the needle into the rubber stopper on top of the medicine bottle. Push down on the plunger to push the air into the bottle (Image 1).

• Leave the syringe in the bottle. Now turn the bottle upside down so that the bottle is on top and the syringe is on the bottom (Image 2).

• Make sure that the tip of the needle is below the level of the liquid. Pull down on the plunger. This will cause the medicine to fill the syringe (Image 3).

• Stop pulling the plunger when the right amount of medicine is in the syringe, but don’t remove the needle from the bottle.

Step 4. Remove any air bubbles

• Check the syringe for air bubbles.

• To remove air bubbles, tap the barrel of the syringe with your finger or knuckle. This will move any bubbles to the top of the syringe (Image 4).

  • Push the plunger up to remove the air bubbles from the syringe.

  • Pull down on the plunger once more to fill the syringe with the amount of medicine.

  • Repeat these steps until all air bubbles are gone.

• Remove the needle from the bottle.

• If your healthcare provider has told you to replace the needle with a new one, then do so as instructed.

Step 5. Select and prepare an injection site

• Select a site that avoids major blood vessels and nerves. You were shown these sites in the hospital.

• Each time you do an injection, change sites. Don't use the same site over and over. It is a good idea to keep a written injection record. Include the date, time, and site of each injection.

• Avoid areas that are bruised, scarred, painful, or swollen.

• Clean the injection site with alcohol and let it dry before injecting.

• Hold the syringe like a pencil. Use your other hand to stretch the skin flat around the injection site. But don’t touch the actual injection site.

Step 6. Inject the medicine

• Insert the needle straight into the prepared injection site. Use a quick downward motion (Image 5).

• Push down on the plunger at a steady rate. Inject all the medicine in the syringe.

• Remove the needle by pulling the syringe and needle up and away from your body.

• Release the stretched skin.

• Press a 2-by-2-inch gauze pad onto the site.

• Hold the pad tightly for a minute.

• Check the area for redness, bleeding, or bruising.

• Apply a bandage to the site if needed.

Step 7. After the injection

• Never recap a needle you have used for an injection.

• Throw the needle and syringe away in your sharps container. Make sure the needle and syringe fit easily in the container and that the needles point down. Don't put your fingers into the container. When the container is full, take it back to your healthcare facility. The staff will get rid of it for you. .

• Put all other supplies in the trash.

• Wash your hands again.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.