LANTUS® Insulin Injection: Step by Step Guide
To view the step-by-step instruction video on how to inject LANTUS®, please visit
our full site on your personal computer.
Making LANTUS® part of your regular daily insulin treatment routine can be easier
when you become more familiar with how to inject insulin with your insulin vial
and syringe setup. Be sure to always follow your healthcare provider's recommendations.
Before your insulin injection
- Wash your hands.
- Make sure the insulin is clear and colorless.
- Do not use it if it is cloudy or if you see particles. Throw it away.
- Always use a new syringe.
- Relax
Prepare your LANTUS® insulin dose
DO NOT MIX OR DILUTE LANTUS® WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION.
REMOVE THE INSULIN VIAL CAP
If you are using a new vial, remove the protective cap. DO NOT remove the
stopper.
STERILIZE INSULIN VIAL TOP
Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.
INJECT AIR INTO INSULIN VIAL
Draw air into the syringe equal to your insulin dose.
Put the needle through the rubber top of the vial and push the plunger to inject
the air into the vial.
DRAW UP YOUR INSULIN DOSE
Leave the syringe in the vial and turn both upside down. Hold the syringe and vial
firmly in one hand. Make sure the tip of the needle is in the insulin. With your
free hand, pull the plunger to withdraw the correct insulin dose into the syringe.
Remove air bubbles from the syringe
CHECK SYRINGE FOR BUBBLES
Before you take the needle out of the insulin vial, check the syringe for air bubbles.
TAP SYRINGE TO RELEASE
If bubbles are in the insulin, hold the syringe straight up and tap the side of
the syringe until the bubbles float to the top.
EJECT AIR FROM THE SYRINGE
Push the bubbles out with the plunger and draw the insulin back in until you have
the correct dose.
REMOVE NEEDLE FROM THE VIAL
Do not let the needle touch anything. You are now ready to inject the correct dose.
Choose an insulin injection area
PICK YOUR INJECTION SITE
Decide on an injection spot—either upper arm, thigh or abdomen. Injection
sites within an injection area must be different from one injection to the next.
CLEAN THE INJECTION SITE
Use alcohol to clean the skin where you are going to inject.
PINCH A FOLD OF SKIN AT THE INJECTION SITE
Pinch the skin and hold it. Insert the needle in the way your healthcare provider,
nurse or diabetes educator showed you.
Complete the insulin injection
INJECT LANTUS®
Slowly push the plunger of the syringe all the way, making sure you have injected
all the insulin. Leave the needle in the skin for 10 seconds.
APPLY LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE INJECTION SITE
Pull the needle straight out and gently press on the spot where you injected yourself
for several seconds. Do not rub the area.
DISCARD MATERIAL SAFELY
Follow your healthcare professional's instructions for throwing away the needle
in a proper disposal container.
Next: Considering Lantus