The three Most Widespread GLP-1 Injection Websites

When utilizing glucagon-like peptide-1 medicine (GLP-1s) for weight reduction or diabetes, that you must get comfy with injecting the medicine beneath your pores and skin (subcutaneously). Sometimes, you’ll goal your abdomen, thigh, or higher arm as a result of these areas are inclined to have extra fats tissue.

When injecting the medicine, rotate websites or keep away from injecting it in the identical spot twice in a row. This helps forestall injection web site reactions like swelling and rashes. It could additionally forestall lipohypertrophy, which is when a lump of fatty tissue kinds beneath the pores and skin.

Why It Works: Whereas analysis isn’t conclusive, some research have discovered that injecting a GLP-1 into your stomach could assist with the absorption price. One examine discovered that individuals who injected the medicine into the fats on their abdomen absorbed the medicine extra rapidly than those that used their thigh as an injection web site. Nevertheless, these variations had been very minor, and extra analysis is required.

How To Do It: Decide a location that’s beneath your ribs and above your hip bones. The injection web site ought to be at the very least 2 inches away out of your stomach button and at the very least 1 inch away from a earlier injection web site. Additionally, be certain to scrub your fingers and dry them with a clear paper towel earlier than performing the injection, and disinfect the injection web site with an alcohol pad.

What To Keep away from: Keep away from injecting the medicine into damaged or swollen pores and skin. You also needs to keep away from scars, stretch marks, tattoos, or areas the place there’s redness or irritation.

Why It Works: Your thigh sometimes has sufficient fatty tissue that yow will discover a great injection web site. Additionally it is straightforward to see and attain, and will really feel much less invasive than utilizing your stomach. Nevertheless, some research on injections have discovered that individuals generally discover injections within the thigh extra painful than within the stomach.

How To Do It: Select a location on the outer a part of your thigh the place there’s sufficient fatty tissue to keep away from the muscle. Identical to the stomach, you need to wash your fingers beforehand, dry them with a clear paper towel, and disinfect the pores and skin with an alcohol pad.

What To Keep away from: If in case you have shaved the world just lately, keep away from utilizing your thigh as an injection web site. Additionally, avoid areas which might be crimson, irritated, sore (from a exercise), or that include stretch marks or tattoos. Be sure that your injection web site is at the very least 1 inch away from a earlier injection web site.

Why It Works: Some folks like utilizing the higher arm as an injection web site as a result of it doesn’t require getting undressed like utilizing your thigh may. Nevertheless, your higher arm may be considerably more durable to succeed in whereas retaining the needle at a 90-degree angle.

How To Do It: Choose an space that’s at the very least 3 inches beneath your shoulder and three inches above your elbow, on the aspect or again of your arm. That is sometimes thought-about your tricep space. It’s possible you’ll have to ask somebody that can assist you with the injection to get the best angle. Once more, be sure you or the injector’s fingers are clear and the pores and skin is disinfected.

What To Keep away from: As with the opposite injection websites, keep away from pores and skin that comprises tattoos, scars, bruising, or stretch marks. You also needs to keep away from pores and skin areas which might be damaged, crimson, or irritated. In case your arm is sore from a exercise, select a distinct location.