How To Inject Into A Vein (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Inject Yourself: 13 Ways to Stay Safe and Sterile PDF download Download Article Learn about the supplies and skills you’ll need for a hygienic self-injection Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Assemble all of your supplies. 2 Wash your hands thoroughly. 3 Draw up your medication in a syringe. 4 Find a good injection site. 5 Tie a tourniquet to help you locate the vein. 6 Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. 7 Insert the needle at a 15- to 45-degree angle. 8 Pull back the plunger to make sure you hit a vein. 9 Remove the tourniquet. 10 Inject the medication and remove the needle. 11 Press on the injection wound. 12 Toss out your needle in a closed container. 13 Rotate your injection sites in the future. + Show 10 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Medically reviewed by Danielle Jacks, MD

Last Updated: March 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was medically reviewed by Danielle Jacks, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Danielle Jacks, MD, is a General Surgeon and Thoracic Surgeon based in Medford, OR. With over 9 years of experience, Danielle is an Asante Physician Partner and specializes in cardiothoracic surgery. She previously completed her surgical residency and a fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her MD from Oregon Health and Science University in 2016 and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. There are 30 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 558,032 times.

When it comes to injections, injecting into a vein gives medication the most direct route into your bloodstream. Knowing how to intravenously inject your own medication gives you more freedom and flexibility in your medical regimen, but it’s really important to handle your supplies as safely and hygienically as possible. We’ll walk you through everything you should (and shouldn’t) do, so you can have a safe self-injection experience.

Things You Should Know

  • Choose an injection site in your arm, if possible. Your hands, legs, and feet are also viable options, but you shouldn’t inject into your neck or groin.
  • Always use a sterile and new needle to prevent infection and disease.
  • Insert the needle at a slanted, 15- to 45-degree angle to make sure the medication goes into your vein.
  • Pull back (or “register”) the syringe to make sure that you successfully hit a vein.

Steps

1

Assemble all of your supplies.

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  1. Lay out all of your supplies in front of you so they’re easily accessible. Lay out all of your supplies in front of you so they’re easily accessible. Grab a clean syringe, a tourniquet, an alcohol wipe, a cotton ball or tissue, a bandage, and a secure container with a lid. When you’re self-injecting, you need to be totally focused on what you’re doing—you don’t want to be scrambling around and looking for supplies.
    • Always try to do self-injections in a safe, clean place when you aren’t crunched for time (like right before work).[1]
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2

Wash your hands thoroughly.

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  1. It’s always important to have clean hands before you start. It’s always important to have clean hands before you start.[2] You know the drill—head over to your sink and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).[3] Then, dry off your hands before you handle your syringe and medication.
3

Draw up your medication in a syringe.

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  1. Use your normal preparation practices to get your medication ready to go. Use your normal preparation practices to get your medication ready to go. Double-check that you have the correct dose pulled into your syringe—since your medication is going straight into your vein, it’s easier to overdose by mistake.[4]
    • If your medication comes in a vial, use a clean syringe to draw up the medication.
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4

Find a good injection site.

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  1. Arms are the best, followed by hands, legs, and feet. Arms are the best, followed by hands, legs, and feet. Focus on your upper forearm in particular—the vein that runs along the center of your elbow is the best option for self-injection. The 2 other veins that run along both sides of your forearm are also viable injection sites. If necessary, you can also self-inject in your hands, legs, and feet.[5]
    • Your hands and feet are really far from your heart, so the injection wound will take longer to heal.
    • Leg veins have a higher chance of forming clots, which can lead to serious circulation issues and major health complications.[6]
    • Warning: Avoid self-injecting your medication into your neck or groin area. Both of these injection sites contain major arteries (the jugular and femoral, respectively), and it can be deadly to pierce them by mistake.[7]
5

Tie a tourniquet to help you locate the vein.

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  1. Secure the tourniquet 2-4 in (5-10 cm) above the injection site. Secure the tourniquet 2-4 in (5-10 cm) above the injection site. Using both hands, wrap the tourniquet strap around the base of your upper arm. Instead of tying a knot, tuck 1 end of the strap beneath the wrapped section of the tourniquet. When you’re ready to remove the tourniquet, simply pull on the tucked-in end of the strap to undo it completely.[8]
    • If you’re injecting into your hand, ball your hand into a fist and roll your wrist forward so the veins are more visible. As a general rule of thumb, aim for the veins that are closer to your wrist—these are easier to inject into.[9]
    • Two condoms tied together can work in a pinch if you don’t have a tourniquet on hand.[10]
    • Tip: Before applying the tourniquet, hold out your arm and rotate it in big circles for 20-30 seconds. This helps more blood flow into your arm, which makes the vein easier to find.[11]
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6

Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe.

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  1. Wipe down the skin in 1 direction using smooth, vertical motions. Wipe down the skin in 1 direction using smooth, vertical motions. Try not to rub the wipe in circles—this allows the germs to stick to your skin. Once you’ve cleaned off the injection site, be careful not to touch (and recontaminate) the area.[12]
    • Regular soap and water can work in a pinch, along with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
7

Insert the needle at a 15- to 45-degree angle.

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  1. A steep angle allows the needle to go in the vein, not through it. A steep angle allows the needle to go in the vein, not through it. Grip the syringe so the tip of the needle points toward your heart and the needle’s bevel (opening) faces upward. Hold the syringe at an angle so the needle can enter your vein without going completely through it.[13]
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8

Pull back the plunger to make sure you hit a vein.

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  1. The blood in your syringe should look dark red (not bright red). The blood in your syringe should look dark red (not bright red). Extend the plunger slightly and watch for a little bit of blood to fill your syringe. If the blood looks dark red, you’ve successfully hit a vein and are ready to continue with the injection. This process is also known as “registering.”
    • If no blood is in the syringe: Gently remove the needle, undo the tourniquet, and press on the injection wound with a cotton ball or tissue. Then, redo the tourniquet and try again at a different injection site.
    • If the blood in the syringe is bright red: You’ve likely hit an artery instead of a vein—remove the needle carefully and undo your tourniquet. Then (if you can), lift the injection site so it’s above your head. At this time, press on the wound for 10 minutes with a tissue or cotton ball to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding still hasn’t stopped after this point, get medical help right away.
    • Warning: Always make sure your needle is in a vein before you inject any medication. If you inject into tissue outside of the vein, you could develop an abscess (a severe skin infection).[14]
9

Remove the tourniquet.

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  1. Undo the tourniquet so you don’t develop a bruise. Undo the tourniquet so you don’t develop a bruise. Pull on 1 end of your tourniquet so the strap completely slips off. Leaving the tourniquet in place during the injection can lead to bruising later on, which you definitely don’t want.[15]
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10

Inject the medication and remove the needle.

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  1. Slowly press down the plunger before carefully sliding it out. Slowly press down the plunger before carefully sliding it out. There’s no need to rush—a slow injection makes it easier for the medication to enter your bloodstream.[16] Once you’re finished with the injection, carefully the slide the needle out of your skin at a 15- to 45-degree angle.[17]
11

Press on the injection wound.

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  1. Apply pressure for a few minutes with a cotton ball or tissue. Apply pressure for a few minutes with a cotton ball or tissue.[18] Don’t bother wiping down the wound with an alcohol pad—this will only make the bleeding worse.[19]
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12

Toss out your needle in a closed container.

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  1. A closed container prevents any cross-contamination. A closed container prevents any cross-contamination. Open up your secure container and slip the used needle inside. Then, secure the lid on top, tape the container shut, and toss it in the trash.
    • Any sturdy container (made with metal or plastic) with a snug-fitting lid works well for this.
    • If you need to inject medication a lot, wait until this container is full of old needles before tossing it out.
    • You can also dispose of your used needles in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container.
13

Rotate your injection sites in the future.

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  1. Use new injection sites for future injections until your old wounds heal. Use new injection sites for future injections until your old wounds heal. Move at least 1 in (2.5 cm) away from your old injection site so that part of your vein has a chance to heal. To be extra safe, switch to a different arm or part of your body to prevent a particular vein from developing a lot of scar tissue (or even collapsing).[20]
    • Vitamin E oil can help with scarring while bruise creams can help cut down on bruising.[21] Just make sure that your injection wound is closed up before applying either product, or else you could develop an infection.[22] If you suspect that you might have a infection, visit a doctor or walk-in clinic for treatment.
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Expert Q&A

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Video

Tips

  • Practice self-injecting with both hands if you have to inject yourself frequently—this gives you a lot more flexibility when you rotate injection sites.[23] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Sip on a warm drink, slip into a sweater, or hop into a warm shower before you need to inject your medicine. Then, place a warm compress over the injection site. All of this warmth helps your veins expand, which makes them a lot simpler to locate.[24] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
  • Drink several glasses of water about an hour before you plan on injecting your medication. The more hydrated you are, the easier it’ll be to find your veins.[25] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Always check with a medical professional about the health implications of the drugs you are injecting. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
  • Always use a fresh needle for each injection. Most needles aren’t made with high-quality materials and won’t be sharp after their first injection.[26] Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure that a friend or loved one is nearby whenever you self-inject your medication. In case of emergencies, stock up on naloxone.[27] Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
  • Don’t insert your needle more than 5 mm into your skin. If you go any deeper than this, you risk tapping a nerve or artery.[28] Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
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Getting Help

  • Drug addiction isn't easy to deal with—but you're not alone. There are lots of different ways to recover and heal from drug addiction, including day treatments, outpatient programs, and sober living communities.[29]
  • A strong support network is a key part of recovery. Don't hesitate to ask your friends and loved for support, and consider joining a support group like Narcotics Anonymous.[30]
  • Always call 911 if you need immediate medical help. If you need extra support (in a non-emergency situation), call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s hotline at 1-800-622-4357. If you need an international hotline, click here.

Things You’ll Need

  • Syringe
  • Tourniquet
  • Alcohol wipe
  • Cotton ball or tissue
  • Bandage
  • Closed container or sharps disposal container

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/safer-injecting-opioids-crack-and-crystal-meth
  2. ↑ https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/safer-injecting/inject-hit-drugs-vein-safely/
  3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
  4. ↑ https://harmreduction.org/issues/safer-drug-use/injection-safety-manual/safer-injection-basics/
  5. ↑ https://www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/default/files/PDFS/vein-care-pamphlet.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.drugs.ie/resourcesfiles/guides/mqi_safer_injecting_guide.pdf
  7. ↑ https://ourhealthyeg.ca/safer-injecting
  8. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/STB_Applying_Tourniquet_08-06-2018_0.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/giving-an-im-intramuscular-injection
More References (21)
  1. ↑ https://onpointnyc.org/safer-iv-intraveneous-injection-guide/#:~:text=Inject%20with%20the%20syringe%20hole,of%20a%20heavy%20nod%2Foverdose
  2. ↑ https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-(ihs)/injection-safety/is_providers-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=1eac2c29_5
  3. ↑ https://www.youthaodtoolbox.org.au/sites/default/files/documents_global/Safer%20Injecting%20Resource%20Pack%20%28Flemen%2C%202008%29.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/HAI/CDPH%20Document%20Library/8_Safe_Injection_Practices.Approved12.01.17-ADA.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/40314/1/EuroNPUD_Safer_Injecting_Course.pdf
  6. ↑ https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/tourniquets/
  7. ↑ https://www.hrna-aiirm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HRNA_positionstatement_EN_181113.pdf
  8. ↑ https://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/TH-109_Update-Hormone-Injection-Guide_6_19_2020_FINAL_pages.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/bleeding-heavily
  10. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/emergencies-and-first-aid-direct-pressure-to-stop-bleeding
  11. ↑ https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control/injection-safety
  12. ↑ https://insight.qld.edu.au/training/safe-injecting/detail
  13. ↑ https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/mental/take-care-take-charge.pdf
  14. ↑ https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/rmm/321/Document
  15. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/from-hot-to-cold-the-hidden-health-benefits-of-bathing
  16. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/water.html
  17. ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/basics/intravenous.html
  18. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/iv-therapy
  19. ↑ https://londonfriend.org.uk/safer-injecting-practices/
  20. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2022/01/15/1071282194/addiction-substance-recovery-treatment
  21. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm

About This Article

Danielle Jacks, MD Medically reviewed by: Danielle Jacks, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon This article was medically reviewed by Danielle Jacks, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Danielle Jacks, MD, is a General Surgeon and Thoracic Surgeon based in Medford, OR. With over 9 years of experience, Danielle is an Asante Physician Partner and specializes in cardiothoracic surgery. She previously completed her surgical residency and a fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her MD from Oregon Health and Science University in 2016 and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. This article has been viewed 558,032 times. 39 votes - 82% Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 29, 2025 Views: 558,032 Categories: Injections | Vein Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Danielle Jacks, MD Medically reviewed by: Danielle Jacks, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon Co-authors: 11 Updated: March 29, 2025 Views: 558,032 82% of readers found this article helpful. 39 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote Martins A.

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"I really love to do it. I think it was not good before, but with what I read here, it is good. Thanks." Tonya Dixon

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"I did not know it was not safe to inject in leg. That is where I inject. Now that I know the info I just read, I..." more Eny Godson

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"Greetings! The aspect of the patients drinking enough water before the medication is what I like most. It's a..." more Anonymous

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"Plenty of notes and great tips. I've never heard of using a blood pressure cuff to help show a vein!" John Fedukowicz

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