At-home Injections: A How-to Guide

Guides  to leave you feeling confident about self-administering  at home.

Save hours of your time each week by NOT driving to the clinic for your injection. Self-injectable medicine is the way of the future and Affinity has been the leader since 2012.

TRT
HRT
GLP 
PERSONALIZED WEIGHT LOSS / GLP-1

Compounded GLP-1 medications like semaglutide are increasingly prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management. Proper injection technique ensures safety, comfort, and accurate dosing. This step-by-step guide will walk you through drawing and injecting compounded semaglutide at home.

How to Draw and Inject Compounded Semaglutide (GLP-1 Medication) Safely

Step-by-Step Instructions:

    • Wash and Sanitize Hands

      • Always begin by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dry them completely to avoid contamination.

    • Clean the Vial

      • Take an alcohol prep pad, open it, and clean the top of your vial.

    • Clean the Injection Site

      • Use the same or a new alcohol pad to clean the area on your body where you will inject.

    • Prepare the Syringe

      • Use the syringe type prescribed (commonly a 0.5 mL insulin syringe, 31-gauge).

      • Remove the protective cap.

    • Draw the Medication

      1. Turn the vial upside down and hold it firmly between your thumb and finger.

      2. Insert the needle into the vial.

      3. Pull back slightly past your prescribed dose (e.g., if you need 10 units, draw to 12). This helps remove air bubbles.

      4. Push the plunger back until the syringe shows your exact prescribed dose.

    • Select the Injection Site

      1. The most common site is the fatty area around your belly button (within 3 inches).

      2. Rotate injection sites to avoid irritation.

    • Inject the Medication

      1. Pinch a small area of fat.

      2. Insert the needle straight in (subcutaneous injection, no need for angle adjustments with a 5/16 inch needle).

      3. Push the plunger fully until the syringe is empty.

    • Withdraw the Needle

      1. After waiting 2 to 3 seconds, gently pull the needle out.

      2. Put the cap back on the syringe.

    • Address Any Bleeding

      1. If there is a small amount of blood, do not be alarmed.

      2. Use an alcohol pad on the injection site and gently massage the area with your thumb for 10 to 15 seconds.

    • Dispose of the Needle

      1. Refer to safeneedledisposal.org for proper disposal procedures.

Additional Support
If you have any further questions about the drawing and injecting process, please reach out to your Patient Care Coordinatoror Affinity Medical Provider for assistance.

PERSONALIZED TRT

Diabetic/Insulin Syringe - Drawing and Injecting Testosterone

This guide will walk you through the process of drawing and injecting testosterone. Follow these steps carefully to ensure proper dosing and injection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Clean Your Hands

      • Ensure your hands are clean and dry before proceeding.

    1. Clean the Vial

      • Take an alcohol prep pad, open it, and clean the top of your testosterone vial.

    2. Select and clean the Injection Site

      • Use the same or a new alcohol pad to clean the area on your body where you will inject.

      • The most common injection site is in the thigh area. To select the area, look at the thigh and divide it horizontally into 3 equal parts. The injection is given into the middle third on the outer edge of the thigh.

    1. Prepare the Syringe

      • Remove the cap from the syringe. This example uses a 3ml syringe, your syringe may differ. 

    2. Draw the Medication

      • Turn the vial upside down and hold it between your pointer finger and thumb.

      • Pierce the vial with the syringe needle.

      • Draw a little past the prescribed dose (e.g., if the dose is 0.5 mls , draw slightly more) to remove any air bubbles.

      • Push the excess medication back into the vial, stopping at your prescribed dose.

    1. Inject the Medication

      • Puncture the skin with the needle at the prepared site.

      • Push the plunger down slowly and steadily over 8 to 10 seconds to release the testosterone naturally into your system.

    2. Complete the Injection

      • Once the plunger is fully depressed, wait 2 to 3 seconds before withdrawing the needle to prevent any leakage.

    1. Withdraw the Needle

      • After waiting 2 to 3 seconds, gently pull the needle out.

      • Put the cap back on the syringe.

    2. Address Any Bleeding

      • If there is a small amount of blood, do not be alarmed.

      • Use an alcohol pad on the injection site and gently massage the area with your thumb for 10 to 15 seconds.

    3. Dispose of the Needle

Additional Support
If you have any further questions about the drawing and injecting process, please reach out to your Patient Care Coordinator or Affinity Medical Provider for assistance.

This guide will walk you through drawing testosterone. Follow these steps to ensure proper dosing and injection.

Luer Lock Syringe - Part 1 - Drawing Testosterone

Luer Lock Syringe - Part 2 - Injecting Testosterone

This guide will walk you through injecting testosterone. Follow these steps to ensure proper dosing and injection.

Additional Support
If you have any further questions about the drawing and injecting process, please reach out to your Patient Care Coordinator or Affinity Medical Provider for assistance.

PERSONALIZED HRT

Topi-CLICK® Topical Cream Application

The Topi-CLICK® applicator is designed to provide accurate dosing for topical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) creams such as testosterone or estrogen. This guide will walk you through the correct steps for applying hormone cream using the Topi-CLICK® device.

Step-by-Step Instructions

    • Clean and Dry Your Application Site

      • The most common site for application is the inner thigh.

      • Make sure the skin is clean, dry, and free from lotions, oils, or powders that could affect absorption.

    • Remove the Cap

      1. Take off the protective cap from your Topi-CLICK® applicator.

    • Dispense the Cream

      1. Twist the bottom of the applicator until you reach the number of clicks prescribed by your provider.

      2. Each click dispenses a measured and consistent dose of your topical hormone cream.

    • Apply the Cream

      1. Rub the cream onto your inner thigh in a circular motion.

      2. Continue massaging gently until the cream is fully absorbed into the skin.

      3. Rotate application sites between thighs to improve absorption and avoid irritation.

    • Let Cream Dry

      1. Let the area air-dry for a few minutes before dressing to prevent transfer to clothing.

    • Place Cap Back Onto Your Applicator

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The most common site is the fatty area around your belly button (within 3 inches). Always rotate injection sites to avoid irritation and ensure better absorption.

  • For testosterone injections, the needle should go into the middle third of the outer thigh muscle at a 90-degree angle. Push the plunger slowly over 8–10 seconds and wait 2–3 seconds before removing the needle to prevent leakage.

  • The number of clicks depends on your prescription. Each click delivers a consistent, measured dose of hormone cream. Always follow the exact instructions given by your provider.

  • A small amount of bleeding is normal. Clean the site with an alcohol pad and apply light pressure or gently massage for 10–15 seconds. If bleeding persists or you notice unusual swelling, contact your provider.

  • Never throw needles in the trash. Place them in a sharps container or an FDA-approved puncture-resistant container, and check SafeNeedleDisposal.org for local disposal guidelines.

Additional Support
If you have any further questions about the drawing and injecting process, please reach out to your Patient Care Coordinator or Affinity Medical Provider for assistance.