EDUCATION CENTER

Injection guides, reconstitution steps, and safety resources

Use these public education resources alongside your provider's specific dosing instructions. For additional video walkthroughs, see Injection Instructions.

Injection Guides

Step-by-step instructions for administering your medications. Always follow your provider's specific dosing instructions.

Subcutaneous Injection

SQ · Under-skin injection

Supplies Needed

  • Correct size needle & syringe (½ inch or less)
  • Medication vial
  • Two alcohol wipes
  • Sharps container

Injection Sites

Abdomen ★ RecommendedThigh ★ Self-injectionUpper Arm (assisted only)

2 inches of pinched skin → 90° | 1 inch of pinched skin → 45°

Avoid the 2-inch area around the belly button when injecting in the abdomen.

Intramuscular Injection

IM · Into-muscle injection

Supplies Needed

  • Correct size needle & syringe
  • Medication vial
  • One alcohol wipe
  • Sharps container

Injection Sites

Vastus Lateralis (Thigh) ★ Self-injectionVentrogluteal (Hip)Deltoid (Shoulder — assisted)
Always rotate injection sites — scar tissue can reduce medication effectiveness. Insert at 90° using a dart-like wrist motion. Do not thrust.
If blood enters the syringe when you pull back the plunger, remove needle, discard, and choose a new site.

Testosterone Injection

IM · 25-gauge orange-top needle

Supplies Needed

  • Medication vial
  • Syringe with orange-top 25g needle (draws & injects)
  • Alcohol wipes

Key Steps

1Clean vial stopper with alcohol wipe, draw prescribed dose with orange-top needle.
2Re-cap needle by placing cap on table and snapping needle in — do not use two hands.
3Tap out air bubbles. Clean injection site. Insert at 90° using wrist (dart motion).
4Pull back slightly to confirm no blood. Inject slowly and steadily, then remove.
Lab timing: Wait at least 3 days after your last testosterone injection before lab draws for accurate results.

Lyophilized Powder Reconstitution

Peptides & freeze-dried medications

Supplies Needed

  • Lyophilized medication vial
  • Bacteriostatic water vial
  • Mixing syringe + injection syringe
  • Alcohol wipes & sharps container

Key Steps

1Wipe both vials with alcohol. Tighten needle to hub on mixing syringe.
2Draw prescribed amount of bacteriostatic water into mixing syringe.
3Slowly inject water into the lyophilized medication vial. Draw back equal air volume to equalize pressure.
4Swirl (don't shake) until solution is clear. Wipe top, draw prescribed dose with a new injection syringe.
Mixing ratio: Standard is 1:1 (1mL water per 1mg peptide) — always reference your specific prescription instructions first.