Injections without a medical professional are not advised unless you have been trained or instructed in a one-on-one setting. However, often medication, such as vitamin B12, is prescribed for home use. Vitamin B12 is a intramuscular injection meaning the needle will go into a muscle to release the medication. A physician or pharmacist will always be able to teach you the correct technique in person. This can help prevent incorrect and even dangerous injections. Safe and correct technique will prevent infections, injuries and the possibility of others being injured by used needles and other objects used to inject vitamin B12.
Step 1
Prepare the area that you will be using before getting started. Ideally you will be working in a clean open space. This will ensure that nothing hinders your movements and will help prevent any accidental contamination and injuries. Once the area is clean, you may begin by putting on Using the alcohol wipes first wipe the area of the body you are injecting the vitamin B12 into. Next disinfect the rubber stopper of the vitamin B vial by swiping over it once.
Step 2
Clean the area of your body that you will be injecting the vitamin B12 into by swiping over it once with the alcohol swab. Next disinfect the rubber stopper of the vitamin B12 vial by swiping over it once with a different area of the swab or a fresh swab.
Step 3
Check your syringe to make sure it is not defective. Remove the protective cover from the needle and insert it through the rubber stopper of the vial. Hold the needle and vial in way so that the vial is upside down and pull the plunger of the syringe back to withdraw the prescribed dosage of vitamin B12. Tap the syringe to get any large air bubbles to the top, pull the needle out of the vial and depress on the plunger gently to push the air out. It is OK for a little bit of the vitamin B12 squirt out as well.
Step 4
Hold the muscle you are injecting into in place by gently squeezing with two fingers to support the injection site and insert the needle at a comfortable pace. Since most vitamin B12 shots will be intramuscular use, the injection technique of injecting directly into the muscle at a 90-degree angle. Depress the plunger all the way down to release the medication into your body.
Step 5
Release your muscle and at the same pace as before pull the needle out. Immediately dispose of the needle into the sharps container. Hold a cotton ball at the site of injection, if there is any bleeding until it stops. Otherwise just wipe the area clean with the cotton ball. Dispose of the cotton ball, alcohol wipes and gloves in a safe location that is not easily accessed by children or animals.
Tips and Warnings
- Your physician or pharmacist are trained to teach you the correct techniques of injection in a one on one fashion. If you are having trouble doing it by yourself, it may be helpful to ask someone to do it for you until you get the hang of it.
Things You'll Need
- Syringes
- Sterile latex gloves
- Alcohol wipes
- Cotton balls
- Sharps container
References
- "Pharmacy Management: Essentials for All Practice Settings": Desselle, Zgarrick: 2008
- "A Practical Guide to Contemporary Pharmacy Practice": Thompson: 2009
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