rn the syringe so that the purple horizontal lines on the barrel are directly facing you. Check to see if the amount of liquid in the syringe falls between the purple lines. The top of the liquid may be curved. If the syringe does not have the right amount of liquid, DO NOT USE THAT SYRINGE. Contact your pharmacist or call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) for assistance.
Assemble the additional supplies you will need for your injection. These include an alcohol swab, a cotton ball or gauze, and a puncture-resistant disposal container.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Make sure the solution in the prefilled syringe is clear and colorless. You may notice small white particles in the solution. These particles are formed from ENBREL® and this is acceptable. However, do not inject the solution if it is cloudy or discolored, or contains large or colored particles – contact your pharmacist or call 1-888-4ENBREL (1-888-436-2735) for assistance.
STEP 2: Choosing and Preparing an Injection Site
Three recommended injection sites for ENBREL® using a prefilled syringe include: (1) the front of the middle thighs; (2) the abdomen, except for the two-inch area right around the navel; and, (3) the outer area of the upper arms.
Rotate the site for each injection. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. Avoid areas with scars or stretch marks.
If you have psoriasis, you should try not to inject directly into any raised, thick, red, or scaly skin patches (“psoriasis skin lesions”).
To prepare the area of skin where ENBREL® is to be injected, wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab. Do not touch this area again before giving the injection.
STEP 3: Injecting ENBREL® Using a Prefilled Syringe
Pick up the prefilled syringe from your flat work surface. Hold the barrel of the prefilled syringe with one hand and pull the needle cover straight off.
When you remove the needle cover, there may be a drop of liquid at the end of the needle; this is normal. Do not touch the needle or allow it to touch any surface. Do not touch or bump the plunger. Doing so could cause the liquid to leak out.
Holding the syringe with the needle pointing up, check the syringe for air bubbles. If there are bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your finger until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Slowly push the plunger up to force the air bubbles out of the syringe.
Holding the syringe in one hand like a pencil, use the other hand to gently pinch a fold of skin at the cleaned injection site and hold it firmly.
Insert the needle at a slight angle (45 degrees) to the skin. With a quick, “dart-like” motion, insert the needle into the skin.
After the needle is inserted, let go of the skin. Pull the plunger back slightly. If blood comes into the syringe, do not inject ENBREL® because the needle has entered a blood vessel. Withdraw the needle and discard it in a puncture-resistant container. Repeat the steps to prepare for an injection using a new prefilled syringe of ENBREL®. Do not use the same prefilled syringe.
If no blood appears in the syringe, slowly push the plunger all the way down to inject ENBREL®.
When the syringe is empty, pull the needle out of the skin, being careful to keep it at the same angle as inserted. There may be a little bleeding at the injection site. You can press a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site for 10 seconds. Do not rub the injection site. If needed, you may cover the injection site with a bandage.
STEP 4: Disposing |
