ge with your other hand.
Fill the syringe until the black tip of the plunger lines up with the mark that matches your prescribed dose (See Figure O).
Keep the syringe and needle in the vial.
You may see some bubbles inside the vial when the syringe is filled. This is normal. With the needle still in the vial, gently tap the side of the syringe with a finger to make any air bubbles rise to the top (See Figure P).
Slowly push the plunger up until all air bubbles are out of the syringe. Make sure the tip of the needle is in the fluid. Slowly pull back the plunger to draw up the right dose of GATTEX into the syringe.
Remove the dosing syringe and needle from the vial (See Figure Q). Do not touch the needle or allow it to touch anything.
Step 6: Inject GATTEX.
Choose an injection site on your stomach area (abdomen), thighs, or upper arms. Choose a different site to give the injection each day. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. (See Figures R and S)
Clean the skin where you plan to give the injection with a new alcohol swab pad. Do not touch this area again before giving the injection.
Use one hand to gently pinch up a fold of skin around the injection site (See Figure T).
Use your other hand to hold the syringe. Insert the full length of the needle into the skin at a 45-degree angle with a quick "dart-like" motion (See Figure U).
Let go of the skin. Hold the syringe barrel with one hand while you slowly push down the plunger until the syringe is empty (See Figure V).
When the syringe is empty, quickly pull the needle out of your skin. There may be a little bleeding at the injection site. Apply an adhesive bandage to the injection site if needed.
Step 7: Dispose of syringes and needles.
Do not re-use a syringe or needle.
To help avoid needle-stick injuries, do not recap a needle.
Put your needles and syringes in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) loose needles and syringes in your household trash.
If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
made of heavy-duty plastic
can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharp items being able to come out
upright and stable during use
leak-resistant, and
properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container.
There may be local or state laws about how to throw away syringes and needles. For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA's website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.
Do not dispose of your sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your sharps disposal container.
Throw away the GATTEX vial into the container where you put the syringes and needles.
If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
How should I store GATTEX?
Store GATTEX powder at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C).
Do not freeze GATTEX.
Use the GATTEX powder by the expiration date on the "Use By" sticker on the kit. Use GATTEX within 3 hours after mixing it.
Throw away any unused GATTEX that has been mixed, even if there is medicine left in th |
