find a well lit clean flat work surface like a table and collect all the supplies you will need to give yourself or receive an injection. take one avonex administration dose pack out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan on injecting your dose to allow it to reach room temperature. a room temperature solution is more comfortable to inject. you will need the following supplies: single-use prefilled syringe sterile needle alcohol wipe gauze pad adhesive bandage a puncture resistant container for disposal of used syringes and needles. preparing the avonex prefilled syringe. it is important to keep your work area your hands and your injection site clean to minimize risk of infection. you should wash your hands prior to handling the syringe. check the expiration date. the expiration date is printed on the avonex prefilled syringe syringe package and the carton. do not use if the medication is expired. check the contents of the syringe. the solution in the syringe should be clear and colorless. if the solution is colored or cloudy do not use the syringe. get a new syringe. check the cap on the end of the syringe to confirm it is attached and has not been opened. if the cap is not securely attached or appears to have been opened do not use that syringe. call your pharmacist. hold the syringe so the cap is facing down and the 0. 5 ml mark is at eye level. check to make sure the amount of liquid in the syringe is the same or very close to the 0. 5 ml mark. if the syringe does not have the correct amount of liquid do not use that syringe. call your pharmacist. hold the avonex® prefilled syringe upright so that the cap is pointing up. remove the cap by bending it at a 90° angle until it snaps free. open the package with the 23 gauge 1-¼ inch needle. attach the needle by pressing it onto the syringe and turning it clockwise until it locks in place. note: if you do not firmly attach the needle to the syringe it may leak so you may not get your full dose of avonex. be careful not to push the plunger while attaching the needle. selecting an injection site. you should use a different site each time you inject. this can be as simple as switching between thighs (if you are always injecting yourself) or if another person is helping you you can rotate between your upper arms and your thighs. keeping a record of the date and location of each injection will help you. do not inject into an area of the body where the skin is irritated reddened bruised infected or scarred in any way. the best sites for intramuscular injection are the thigh and upper arm: thigh upper arm injecting the avonex dose. use the alcohol wipe to clean the skin at the injection site you choose. then pull the protective cover straight off the needle; do not twist the cover off. with one hand stretch the skin out around the injection site. hold the syringe like a pencil with the other hand and using a quick motion insert the needle at a 90 degree angle through the skin and into the muscle. once the needle is in let go of the skin and slowly push the plunger down until the syringe is empty. take the gauze pad and hold it near the needle at the injection site and pull the needle straight out. use the gauze pad to apply pressure to the site for a few seconds or rub gently in a circular motion. if there is bleeding at the site wipe it off and if necessary apply an adhesive bandage. after two hours check the injection site for redness swelling or tenderness. if you have a skin reaction and it does not clear up in a few days contact your doctor or nurse. dispose of the used syringe and needle in your puncture resistant container. this is a single-use syringe. do not use a syringe or needle more than once. disposal of syringes and needles. there may be special state and/or local laws for disposing of used needles and syringes. your doctor nurse or pharmacist should provide you with instructions on how to dispose of your used needles and syringes. always keep your disposal container out of the reach of children. do not throw used needles and syringes into the household trash and do not recycle.
how do i prepare and inject a dose of avonex?