Starting GLP-1 medications can be life-changing, but it’s crucial to handle injections and supplies safely to protect your health. In this guide, we cover safe injection practices—from prepping supplies and storing medication to hygienic handling and safe disposal. Whether you’re new to injectables or experienced, following these steps will ensure each dose is administered correctly and safely. A little extra care goes a long way in making your GLP-1 journey smooth, effective, and worry-free.

Note: I didn’t include the actual injection instructions; that should be provided by your provider/pharmacy.

Waiting for your Medication

Here are some things you can do while you’re waiting for your medication to arrive:

• Read through all the information provided by your provider and/or pharmacy.
• Order a sharps container. Some sharps disposal programs will mail you a sharps container and supplies to ship it back for free.
• Look through r/tirzepatidecompound or r/semaglutide and use the search bar; chances are, any questions you have have been asked and answered.
  • There are some great, informative threads like Newbie Tips, More Tips, Even More Tips, Tirzepatide Mechanisms, How Tirzepatide works, and Food Noise Discussion.
• Try to wrap your head around all the units used for dosing.

Order Arrival

When your supplies arrive:

• Have a clean surface ready and wash your hands before handling your supplies.
• Go through everything you received. Confirm you received the medication, prescription information (concentration and dosing), syringes, alcohol wipes, and instructions.
• The vials are small, make sure nothing gets thrown out with the packaging.
• Take pictures of the labels and prescription info for reference.
• Make sure the number of vials, concentration, and volume match what your provider said you would receive. If it doesn’t match, contact your provider ASAP.

Storing Supplies

• If not injecting right away, put your medication in a clean container in the fridge.
  • That might be the container/bag it came in.
  • Some people buy a vial holder and some people use Tupperware, lidded jars, or something similar.
• Store the remainder of your supplies in a clean container.
  • I use this box to hold everything including my sharps disposal container and extra syringes.
  • Leave your syringes covered in the original bag they came in, or put in a clean ziplock.

Review Information Before Injecting

Before you do anything else, read through all the materials and instructions you were given.

• Make sure you understand the dosing information, instructions for injecting, and hygienic and safe injecting practices
• There are injection videos online; I recommend watching through one or two before injecting for the first time.
• Before your injection, make sure you know how many units to fill your syringe to.
  • See the Complete Guide to GLP-1 Dosing for help

Hygienic Injecting

When you’re ready to inject, clean a surface and wash your hands thoroughly.

• Be mindful of hygienic handling of your supplies. When you touch something that hasn’t been cleaned, like the fridge handle or your clothing, you may need to wash your hands again before handling your supplies.
• Set your supplies out on a clean surface: vial, capped syringe, alcohol wipe, sharps container, and instructions and dosage information to refer to.
• Follow your provider/pharmacy’s instructions for injecting.
• Your vial will be used for multiple doses. Remember to clean the top of your vial and your skin with an alcohol wipe before inserting the needle.
• Some pharmacies say to draw air into your syringe (up to your dose amount) before inserting it into the vial; if your instructions include this step, do this with the cap still covering the needle. You don’t want the needle touching anything or exposed to the air for too long or you have the potential to introduce contaminants into your vial.

After your Injection

• Make sure to clean the top of your vial with an alcohol wipe, wait for the alcohol to dry, and put the vial back into a clean container in the fridge.
• Put the cap back on your used syringe and place it in your sharps container (not in the trash).
  • If you don’t have a sharps container, you can use a hard container like a laundry detergent bottle. Once the bottle is 3/4 full, tape it closed with duct tape. Label the container “SHARPS – DO NOT RECYCLE”. Bring it to a sharps disposal program in your state.
• It’s important to keep track of your injection details, and many people find the Shotsy app (available for iPhone users) helpful for this purpose. In any case, make a note of the date, time, dose, and injection location to ensure you have all the necessary information to refer to before your next shot.

Your first month at 2.5mg is the loading dose and you may not lose weight or feel appetite suppression on this dose. Don’t dose up early. If the appetite suppression is too strong you can adjust your dose down. Contact your provider for medical advice.

By following safe injection practices and handling your supplies carefully, you protect yourself and make your treatment as effective as possible. A little extra attention to cleaning, prepping, and disposal can prevent infections and ensure each dose is administered correctly. Whether you’re experienced with injectables or just starting, staying vigilant about these safety steps is worth it for your health. Prioritizing safety and responsibility in your injection routine helps you focus on the positive outcomes of your treatment with peace of mind.