How to inject Tremfya at home

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on RheumDoctor.com but here goes! Today I’ll be demonstrating how to inject Tremfya at home. Tremfya recently received FDA approval for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and already has approval for the treatment of plaque psorisais. It comes as a prefilled syringe as well as a pen. I’ll be demonstrating its use with a pen.

Preparing for your injection

·  Keep your medication stored in the refrigerator until use

• Before injecting medication, take the autoinjector or prefilled syringe 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

·  Choose an area to inject – Thigh or Stomach.

• Choose 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).

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

How to inject Tremfya with an autoinjector pen

Observe the medication in the window to be sure that it is clear (no cloudiness or crystals)

• You will see a small air bubble within the window, this is normal and will not cause harm when injecting

·  Remove the cap

·  Press the tip of the auto-injector down in the skin at a 90 degree angle until it is flush with the skin

·  Press button and hold for 15 seconds

·  Viewing window will turn yellow, but continue to hold the button for the full 15 seconds ·  Lift the auto-injector straight up

Injecting Tremfya with a prefilled syringe

·  Pull off the cap and observe the syringe to be sure that it is clear (no cloudiness or crystals)

·  Pinch the skin around the injection site and enter at a 45-degree angle

·  Press the plunger (slowly) to administer the medication

·  Once the medication is fully administered, the plunger will reach the bottom and a spring will place a cover over the needle

After the injection

• Properly dispose of the entire autoinjector/pen or prefilled syringe
  • 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 needle
• Discard remaining materials in the trash (cap, alcohol swabs, etc.)

For more information regarding Tremfya, please follow this link.

Credits

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.