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auto-injectors

Self-Injection Videos

How to inject methotrexate

September 12, 2017
How to inject methotrexate

Methotrexate is commonly prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, as well as many other autoimmune diseases. It comes as a pill but in certain situations the medication may be more effective if it’s injected.  That being said, injectable methotrexate comes as a auto-injector pen but due to cost, often times we need to rely on the good old-fashioned method: needle, syringe, and a vial of methotrexate.  First, Dr. Farrell is going to teach us how to inject a vial of methotrexate.  In the second video, she will teach us how to inject with an auto-injector pen.

Preparing for your injection

  • Keep your medication stored in the refrigerator until use
    • Before injecting medication, take the vial out of the refrigerator.
    • Allow it to warm up to room temperature.
  • Pick a place in your house that is clean and has room for your materials (such as the kitchen table).
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with either:
    • Soap & water
    • Hand sanitizer
  • Chose an area to inject – Thigh or Stomach.
    • Chose an area that is intact and clear.
    • It should not have any of the following:
      • Cuts
      • Scrapes
      • Bruises
      • Psoriasis patches
      • If you have extensive psoriasis, inject between patches
      • Moles
      • Scars
    • Please rotate area each time you inject (shown in picture below).

Areas to inject subcutaneous medication

  • Cleanse chosen area
    • Cleanse chosen area with either of the following:
      • Alcohol swab
      • Alcohol and a cotton ball
    • Use the chosen alcohol material to “swipe” area
      • Can either use a circular motion or wipe in “strips”
      • Allow the area to dry

Injecting a methotrexate vial

Drawing the medication

  • If it is your first time using the vial, you will have to remove the plastic cap from the vial
  • Clean the top of the vial with an alcohol swab
  • Open syringe packaging and take syringe out
    • Be careful while doing this – the needle may come apart, so make sure the needle is securely on the syringe before moving on
  • Double check the dosage on your prescription.  Does your doctor want you to inject 0.5 mL? 0.6 mL?
  • Pull plunger to get air into the syringe
    • The amount of air should be half the amount of the dose that you are going to draw up (Example: if you need a dose that is 1 mL of methotrexate, draw up 0.5 mL of air)
  • Press the needle into the vial
    • Should be right into the center of the top of the vial at a 90-degree angle
  • Push the plunger to transfer the air into the vial
  • Flip the vial upside down with the needle still in
  • Pull back on the plunger to draw liquid into the syringe
    • If an air bubble appears into the syringe, push the plunger back up and try pulling out again
    • This may take a few tries before you get only medication into the syringe
  • Once you have withdrawn the dose of the medication that you need, flip the vial and take the needle out

Injecting the medicine

  • Pinch cleansed skin
  • Insert needle into the chosen area at a 45-degree angle
    • You may keep the skin pinched or let go of the skin
  • Push the plunger slowly to inject the medication
  • Once you have injected all of the medication, take the needle out of your skin

After the injection

  • Properly dispose of the entire syringe
    • NEVER recap the needle
    • Sharps Container
      • Can be purchased at your local pharmacy
      • Disposal
        • Hospitals may take full sharps containers, ask first.
        • Pharmacies and Doctors’ offices are not allowed to take used syringes or needles
  • Discard remaining materials in the trash (cap, alcohol swabs, etc.)

Injecting methotrexate with an auto-injector pen

Injecting Otrexup®

  • There will be a number “1” labeled on the auto-injector
    • Twist cap off
  • There will be a number “2” labeled on the auto-injector
    • Press with thumb to flip cap off
  • Place tip of the auto-injector on the skin at a 90-degree angle
  • Press button to release medication
    • Hold for 10 seconds
    • May feel a slight pinch and tingling as the medication goes in

Injecting Rasuvo®

  • There will be a yellow cap at the end that you will pull straight off
  • Place tip of the auto-injector on the skin at a 90-degree angle
  • Press button to release medication
    • Hold for 10 seconds
    • May feel a slight pinch and tingling as the medication goes in

After the injection

  • Properly dispose of the auto-injector.
    • Sharps Container
      • May be provided by the drug company (depending on the medication)
      • Can be purchased at your local pharmacy
      • You may use a coffee can if you are unable to attain a sharps container
      • Disposal
        • Hospitals may take sharps
        • Pharmacies and Doctors’ offices are not allowed to take used syringes or needles
  • Discard remaining materials in the trash (cap, alcohol swabs, etc.)

Credits

Jessica Farrell, PharmD.  Clinical Pharmacist, The Center for Rheumatology/Associate Professor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

With the help of Autumn Koniowka. Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate Class of 2018, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Megan Phillips. Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate Class of 2018, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

A special thanks to Tammy Garren, PhD. Instructional Designer, Center for Innovative Learning, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Methotrexate vial image: By Li Wa/Shutterstock

Injection site image: By British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Download this book for free at http://open.bccampus.ca [CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Medical Disclaimer

This information is offered to educate the general public. The information posted on this website does not replace professional medical advice, but for general information purposes only. There is no Doctor – Patient relationship established. We strongly advised you to speak with your medical professional if you have questions concerning your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.