Figure A
Figure B
Figure B
Step 1: Prepare the injection.
Choose a well lit, clean, flat work surface.
Wash your hands well with soap and warm water.
Hold the prefilled syringe with the covered needle pointing upward.
Step 2: Prepare your injection site
Choose an injection site around your stomach area (abdomen), buttocks, upper legs (thighs). If a caregiver is giving you the injection, the outer area of the upper arms may also be used. (See FIGURE C)
Use a different injection site for each injection. Do not give an injection in an area of the skin that is tender, bruised, red or hard.
Clean the skin with an antiseptic wipe where you plan to give your injection.
Do not touch this area again before giving the injection. Let your skin dry before injecting.
Do not fan or blow on the clean area.
Figure C
Figure C
*Areas in gray are recommended injection sites.
Step 3: Inject STELARA
Remove the needle cover when you are ready to inject your STELARA.
Do not touch the plunger while removing the needle cover.
Hold the body of the prefilled syringe with one hand, and pull the needle cover straight off. (see FIGURE D)
Put the needle cover in the trash.
You may also see a drop of liquid at the end of the needle. This is normal.
Do not touch the needle or let it touch anything.
Do not use the prefilled syringe if it is dropped without the needle cover in place. Call your doctor, nurse or health professional for instructions.
Figure D
Figure D
Hold the body of the prefilled syringe in one hand between the thumb and index fingers. (See FIGURE E)
Figure E
Figure E
Do not pull back on the plunger at any time.
Use the other hand to gently pinch the cleaned area of skin. Hold firmly.
Use a quick, dart-like motion to insert the needle into the pinched skin at about a 45-degree angle. (See FIGURE F)
Figure F
Figure F
Inject all of the liquid by using your thumb to push in the plunger until the plunger head is completely between the needle guard wings. (See FIGURE G)
Figure G
Figure G
When the plunger is pushed as far as it will go, keep pressure on the plunger head. Take the needle out of the skin and let go of the skin.
Slowly take your thumb off the plunger head. This will let the empty syringe move up until the entire needle is covered by the needle guard. (See FIGURE H)
Figure H
Figure H
When the needle is pulled out of your skin, there may be a little bleeding at the injection site. This is normal. You can press a cotton ball or gauze pad to the injection site if needed. Do not rub the injection site. You may cover the injection site with a small adhesive bandage, if necessary.
Step 4: Dispose of the syringe.
Put the syringe in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) loose syringes in your household trash.
If you do not have a 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 sharps being able to come out.
upright and stable during use,
leak-resistant,
and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste in