How to Inject Intramuscular Testosterone Shots

Here is a step by step guide on administering your Intramuscular Testosterone from a Multi-Dose Vial or single use vial. As always, follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider. Instructions may vary from patient to patient and always verify your dose by checking with your provider, pharmacist, or checking the label on your medication.

Safety Precautions:

Do not reuse disposable needles.
Dispose of needles responsibly.

Step 1: Setting up for the injection

Gather Supplies: Alcohol Wipes, Medication and Syringes (Disposable syringe and needles, one 18 G needle to draw up medication then switch to injection needle (22-23 G; 1-1.5 inch))
Check your Medicine: Check the expiration date on the vial. Do not use a medication with particles, medication that is discolored, or is expired.
Wash Hands: Wash your Hands Thoroughly with Soap and Water
Prepare the Vial: If it is a new vial there may be a hard plastic cap on the top or a foil cover. The first time you use a vial, be sure to remove this to expose the rubber stopper.
Wipe the top of the vial (every time) with alcohol to ensure it is a clean surface, and let it dry.

Step 2: Selecting and preparing the injection site

Choose your injection site: either the Vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh or Gluteus maximus muscle in the buttocks. If you are giving yourself your injections then you MUST use the Vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh.
For Vastus lateralis muscle (Thigh): Look at your thigh and divide it horizontally into 3 equal parts. The injection will go in the outer middle third. The thigh is a good place to give yourself an injection because it is easy to see.

Step 3: Preparing the injection dose

Take the cap off the vial. Clean the rubber stopper with one alcohol swab. Allow to dry.
Check the package containing the syringe. If the package has been opened or damaged, do not use that syringe.
Pull the 18 G needle cover straight off the syringe. Then, pull back the plunger and draw air into the syringe. The amount of air drawn into the syringe should be the same amount (mL or cc) as the dose that your doctor prescribed. Do not let the needle touch any surfaces.
Keep the vial on your flat working surface and insert the needle straight down through the center of the rubber stopper. Do not put the needle through the rubber stopper more than once.
Push the plunger of the syringe down and push the air from the syringe into the vial.
Keeping the needle in the vial, turn the vial upside down. Position the needle so the liquid is covering the tip of the needle.
Keeping the vial upside down, slowly pull back on the plunger to fill the syringe with the medication to the number (mL or cc) that matches the dose your doctor ordered.
Keeping the needle in the vial, check for air bubbles in the syringe. If there are air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Then slowly push the plunger up to force the air bubbles out of the syringe without removing the needle from the bottle.
After air bubbles are gone, pull the plunger back to the number (mL or cc) marking on the syringe that matches your dose. Remove the 18 G needle and replace it with the IM needle.
Check to make sure that you have the correct dose in the syringe. It is very important that you use the exact dose prescribed by your doctor.
Do not lay they syringe down or let the needle touch anything. You can recap the needle if needed.

Step 4: Give the injection

Clean the injection site skin with an alcohol swab; let it air dry.
Hold the skin around the injection site in the manner described above.
Keep the muscles in the injection area relaxed.
Insert the IM needle into the muscle at a 90-degree angle with one quick and firm motion.
After inserting the needle into the muscle take your hand off the skin. You may feel some burning or pressure as the medicine enters your muscle.
When you finish injecting the full dose of the medication into the muscle, remove the needle.
Gently press an alcohol swab on the injection site. Hold pressure on site until there is no bleeding. You can place a band aid on injection site if needed.