.
Remove the syringe and needle from the ENBREL® vial. Keep the needle attached to the syringe and insert the 25-gauge needle straight down into the needle cover in the ENBREL® dose tray. You should hear a “snap” when the needle is secure in the needle cover. Once the needle is secure in the needle cover, remove the 25-gauge needle from the syringe and dispose of the needle in a puncture-resistant container.
Attach the 27-gauge needle onto the tip of the syringe until it fits snugly. Do not remove the needle cover from the syringe. Place the syringe on your flat work surface until you are ready to inject ENBREL®.
STEP 4: Choosing and Preparing an Injection Site
Three recommended injection sites for ENBREL® 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 or lesions.
To prepare the area of skin where ENBREL® is to be injected, wipe the injection site with a new alcohol swab. Do not touch this area again before giving the injection.
STEP 5: Injecting the ENBREL® Solution
Pick up the syringe from your flat work surface. Hold the barrel of the syringe with one hand and pull the needle cover straight off. 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.
With one hand, gently pinch the cleaned area of skin and hold it firmly. With the other hand, hold the syringe (like a pencil) at a 45-degree angle to the skin.
With a quick, "dart-like" motion, push the needle into the skin.
After the needle is inserted, let go of the skin. Pull the plunger back slightly. If no blood appears in the syringe, slowly push the plunger all the way down to inject ENBREL®.
If blood comes into the syringe, do not inject ENBREL® because the needle has entered a blood vessel. Withdraw the needle and repeat the steps to prepare for an injection. Do not use the same syringe and needle. Dispose of the used needle and syringe in a puncture-resistant container.
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.
If your doctor has instructed you to take two ENBREL® injections on the same day, repeat the steps to prepare and give an injection of ENBREL®. Choose and prepare a new injection site for the second injection.
FOR FREE-HAND METHOD - If there is enough solution left in the ENBREL® vial for another dose, refrigerate the ENBREL® vial (in the dose tray) after use. Otherwise, discard the ENBREL® vial and any remaining solution.
STEP 6: Disposing of Supplies
The syringe, needles, and vial adapter should NEVER be reused. NEVER recap a needle.
Dispose of both the used needle and syringe as instructed by your healthcare provider, or by following these steps:
Do not throw the used needle or syringe in the household trash or recycle.
Place the used needle and syringe in a hard plastic disposal container with a screw-on cap or a metal container with a pla |
