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Clean technique basics

Start here · 3 min read

  • Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds (or use sanitizer) before you touch any supplies.
  • Work on a clean, wiped-down surface away from pets, fans and the sink.
  • Swab every rubber stopper, cartridge septum and injection site with a fresh alcohol pad, and let it dry (about 30 seconds). Wet alcohol stings and can get carried into the vial.
  • Once something is swabbed, don't touch it. If a needle touches anything other than the stopper or your clean skin, replace it.
  • A new needle for every injection. Needles dull after one use and carry germs into the vial next time.
  • Never share needles, syringes or pens, even with a new needle on: blood can get into a pen cartridge.
  • Draw doses right before you use them. Don't pre-fill syringes days ahead.
  • Don't recap needles with two hands. Drop them straight into the sharps container.
If a vial or cartridge looks cloudy, has floating bits, or changes color, don't inject it. See Problems and red flags.
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General how-to information, not medical advice. Follow your prescriber's instructions where they differ.