How to give yourself an epinephrine shot

Step 1

Holding epinephrine injector
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First, be sure you know which end of the epinephrine shot injector is the tip and which end is the top. Grasp the injector in one fist with the tip pointing down. Do not touch the tip.

Step 2

Taking cap off injector
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With your other hand, pull off the cap.

Step 3

Inserting injector into thigh
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Hold the tip close to your outer thigh. Swing and jab the tip firmly into your outer thigh. Jab through clothing if you must, but bare skin is best. The injector should go straight into your skin, at a 90-degree angle to your thigh. Keep the injector in your thigh for 10 seconds. The injection is complete.

It is normal for most of the liquid to be left in the injector. Do not try to inject the remaining liquid.

Step 4

Rubbing injection site
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Remove the injector, and place your hand on the area where the medicine entered your skin. Rub the area, using a circular motion, for about 10 seconds.

Step 5

Putting used injector into storage tube
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Put the used injector, needle-end first, into the storage tube that comes with your injector. Do not bend the needle. Screw on the cap of the storage tube. Go to the emergency room, and bring the used injector with you.

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerMartin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine

Current as ofApril 3, 2017

Current as of: April 3, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine