How to Use Injectable Pen Devices — Insulin, Trulicity, Ozempic, Sumigran, Clexane | KiwiMeds

1. How to Inject Insulin (Insulin Pen)

1. 1
   Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use alcohol hand gel. Dry completely.
2. 2
   Check the insulin: Rapid and short-acting insulin (Novorapid, Actrapid) should be clear. Cloudy insulins (NPH, Humalog Mix) should be mixed by rolling gently 10 times — do not shake vigorously. Never use discoloured or clumped insulin.
3. 3
   Attach a new needle — screw a fresh pen needle onto the pen. Use a new needle every injection. Remove the outer and inner needle caps.
4. 4
   Prime the pen: Dial 2 units and press the button with the needle pointing up. A drop of insulin should appear at the tip. This removes air bubbles. Repeat if no drop appears.
5. 5
   Dial your prescribed dose.
6. 6
   Choose your injection site — abdomen (fastest absorption), outer thigh, outer upper arm, or buttocks. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps). Stay at least 2cm from the navel.
7. 7
   Clean the skin if visibly dirty. Let it dry completely before injecting.
8. 8
   Pinch the skin (if thin) or inject at 90°. Insert the needle fully, then press the injection button slowly until it stops.
9. 9
   Keep the needle in for 6–10 seconds before withdrawing — this ensures the full dose is delivered and prevents leakage.
10. 10
    Remove needle and dispose safely in a sharps container (available free from many NZ pharmacies). Replace the pen cap.

2. Trulicity (Dulaglutide) — Weekly Injection Pen

1. 1
   Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before use to reach room temperature. Check solution is clear or slightly yellow, and the expiry date.
2. 2
   Wash hands. Choose abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites each week.
3. 3
   Remove the grey base cap by pulling straight off. Do not put fingers in the grey cap.
4. 4
   Press the green button against skin at 90°, then press and hold the clear button until the injection is complete (you’ll hear two clicks — one to start, one to finish).
5. 5
   Remove pen and dispose in sharps container. Do not reuse.

3. Ozempic / Wegovy (Semaglutide) — Weekly/Daily Pen

1. 1
   Attach a new NovoFine needle to the pen. Remove outer and inner caps.
2. 2
   Prime: select 2 units, hold needle up, press button — a drop should appear. Check window shows your prescribed dose.
3. 3
   Dial your dose. Inject into abdomen, thigh, or upper arm at 90°. Press button fully and hold for 6 seconds.
4. 4
   Replace outer needle cap, unscrew and dispose needle in sharps container. Replace pen cap and refrigerate (or room temp if within 6 weeks of opening).

4. Sumagran (Sumatriptan) — Subcutaneous Injection for Migraine

1. 1
   Use as soon as migraine starts. Wash hands.
2. 2
   Remove from case. Choose outer thigh or abdomen. Clean skin with alcohol swab if needed and allow to dry.
3. 3
   Remove safety cap. Press firmly against skin. Press activation button — hold until click and injection complete.
4. 4
   A second dose may be given after 1 hour if needed. Maximum 2 doses in 24 hours. Do not use if chest pain or shortness of breath occurs.

5. Clexane (Enoxaparin) — Prefilled Syringe

1. 1
   Wash hands. Let syringe reach room temperature if refrigerated.
2. 2
   Inject into the abdomen only — at least 5cm from the navel. Rotate sites (left/right alternating). Avoid bruised or hard areas.
3. 3
   Pinch a fold of abdominal skin between thumb and finger. Insert needle at 90°. Do NOT expel the air bubble before injecting — it helps seal the medication in.
4. 4
   Press plunger fully, hold for 10 seconds. Withdraw needle. Do NOT rub the site — this causes bruising.
5. 5
   Dispose of syringe in sharps container immediately. Never recap the needle.

General Injection Safety Tips

• Always use a new needle/syringe for every injection — reusing increases infection risk and pain.
• Sharps containers are available free at most NZ pharmacies — ask your pharmacist.
• Site rotation prevents lipohypertrophy (hardened fatty lumps) which reduces medication absorption.
• Never inject into bruised, scarred, or hard skin.
• If you have concerns about self-injection, ask your pharmacist or practice nurse to show you in person.