Vegetarians, vegans and other individuals who are vitamin deficient may require a vitamin injection to maintain healthy levels. Specifically, those who do not eat meat may need a vitamin B12 injection, according to Medline Plus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health. Vitamin A, for example, may be lost if you have chronic diarrhea, chronic infections, or stomach or intestine diseases, states MayoClinic.com. If your doctor prescribes an injectable vitamin supplement, you must know how to properly perform the injection.
Fish, meat, seafood and dairy products contain vitamin B12, a vitamin necessary for life. Since plants lack vitamin B12, vegetarians and vegans are at risk for becoming vitamin B12 deficient, which can lead to nerve damage. Therefore, a vitamin B12 shot may be necessary.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine if vitamin B12 injections are needed. If so, ask your doctor for supplies that should include a vial of vitamin B12, syringes and needles.
Step 2
Purchase a sanitizing solution from your local drug store. Alcohol is the most common solution used to sanitize injection sites. Use alcohol prep pads, or purchase a bottle of alcohol and paper towels.
Step 3
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 30 seconds before touching any of your equipment or medication. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel.
Step 4
Place the vitamin B12 vial, syringe and needle on a clean paper towel. Remove the cap from the vial without touching the rubber top of the vial. Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol prep pad. Throw away the prep pad.
Step 5
Attach a needle to the syringe. Remove the cover from the needle and hold in your dominant hand.
Step 6
Hold the vial upside down with your nondominant hand. Insert the needle into the the rubber top on the vial. Pull the plunger toward you to aspirate the recommended dosage of vitamin B12. Remove the needle once you have reached your prescribed dose. Re-cover the needle. Place the vial of vitamin B12 back on the paper towel.
Step 7
Clean the injection site that the doctor recommended with an alcohol wipe. Wipe from the middle using a circular motion. Throw away the prep pad. Remove the cover from the needle. Push the plunger to remove any extra air in the syringe. Now your vitamin B12 shot is prepared for injection.
Step 8
Insert the needle into the sterilized injection site. Pull the plunger back to make sure you are not injecting vitamin B12 into a blood vessel. If there is no blood return, push the plunger down to inject the vitamin.
Step 9
Remove the needle and re-cover with the cap. Immediately dispose in your sharps container. Apply a bandage to the injection site.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep needle and syringes away from children and pets. Never inject more medication than indicated.
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin B12 vial of medication
- Syringe
- Alcohol prep pads
- Disposable sharps container
- Band-Aid
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