Step 1: Check Your Med Type

1 minutes

1. Novarel can come in different vial sizes with different amounts of medications. Be sure to compare your prescribed dosage and the medication you have from your pharmacy so that you take the right amount. If you have any questions, contact your clinic. 

Step 2: Gather your supplies, and wash your hands

2 minutes

1. You will need: Vial of powdered Novarel medication, vial of sterile diluent, syringe, 22 gauge 1 and 1/2 needle for mixing, 27 gauge 1 and 1/4 needle for administration, alcohol pads and a sharps disposal.

Step 3: Mix your dose

2 minutes

1. Clean off the tops of both vials, and, using the syringe with the mixing needle attached, draw air into the syringe that matches the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
2. Insert the needle into the sterile diluent vial and expel the air. Then flip the vial upside down and draw the prescribed amount of diluent into the syringe. Withdraw the needle when you have finished.
3. Then, using the same needle, insert the syringe into the Novarel powder vial and expel all of the sterile diluent. Swirl to dissolve the powder. Next, flip the vial of dissolved Novarel upside down and draw the medication into the syringe. Withdraw the needle.

Step 4: Prep your needle

1 minutes

1. Remove the mixing needle from the syringe using the cap and dispose of it in the sharps disposal. Attach the 27 gauge 1 and 1/4 administration needle to the syringe.
2. With the needle pointing up, tap the barrel and gently push the plunger until a small droplet of liquid appears at the end of the needle.
3. Novarel can be injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Double check your regimen to confirm what injection type your doctor prescribed and refer accordingly to the instructions below.

Step 5: Pick your injection site - Intramuscular

2 minutes

1. The best place to administer this injection is in the upper left or right butt cheek. Clean the site with an alcohol pad and let air dry.

Step 6: Administer the injection - Intramuscular

2 minutes

1. Holding the skin taught, hold the syringe at a 90 degree angle and insert it all the way in your skin. Slightly pull back on the plunger. If you get blood in the syringe, pull the needle out and start over with a new needle.

2. Push down the plunger until all the medication is out of the syringe. When done, withdraw the needle. Be sure to dispose of the needle in the sharps disposal. You did it!

Step 7: Pick your injection site - Subcutaneous

1 minutes

1. Measure 1-2 inches below your belly button and off to the right or left. Switch sides with each injection to help relieve any tenderness that develops. Using an alcohol wipe, wipe off your chosen spot and let it air dry.

Step 8: Administer the injection - Subcutaneous

1 minutes

1. Using your thumb and index finger of one hand, take a pinch of skin at your chosen spot. Using the other hand, hold the syringe and needle at a perpendicular angle to your belly. When ready, confidently and firmly push the needle into your stomach all the way. Once done, push the plunger down steadily, making sure it's all the way down.
2. Once empty, pull out the needle and release your pinch of skin. If any bleeding happens, use a piece of sterile gauze to apply pressure. Don’t rub the injection site. If discomfort continues, you can use an ice cube to numb the injection site.

3. Throw the needle and syringe away in the sharps container. You did it!