Look into the view window in the pen to inspect the liquid inside. Don’t use the pen if you see particles, flakes, discoloration, cloudiness, or signs that the pen is damaged. The liquid should look clear, but it’s normal if it has a few bubbles.
The dose tray doesn’t include a cotton ball, which you’ll hold against the injection site after administering your medication. Gauze will also do the trick if you don’t have cotton balls handy. You should also have a sharps container handy so you can dispose of the pen after using it. The pen is fragile and made of glass, so setting it on a clean, flat surface is important. Do not use a pen if you dropped it.
Leave the gray and plum-colored caps on either end of the pen while the dose reaches room temperature. Don’t remove the caps until immediately before you inject Humira. While your medication warms up, you can sanitize your injection site.
Humira can weaken your immune system and put you at a higher risk of infection. Because of this, washing your hands and sanitizing the injection site is essential.
Don’t touch the injection site or cover it with clothing until you’re ready to administer the injection.
Be sure to pull the caps straight off of the pen instead of twisting them. Don’t try to recap the pen, which could damage the needle or discharge the medication.
Keep squeezing your skin gently while you inject the medication. Squeezing your skin helps make the injection less uncomfortable.
Be sure to hold the pen flat against your skin so it forms a 90-degree angle with the injection site.
Warming Humira for about 30 minutes and pinching your skin while you inject Humira help minimize discomfort. Different people experience varying degrees of discomfort after the injection. Some people experience slight discomfort or pain at the injection site for 1 or 2 minutes. Others feel sore for several hours or up to a few days after the injection.
The injection site may be sensitive after administering the injection, and it’s normal if you bleed a little after removing the pen. Once you remove the pen, the needle will retract into the white needle cover. Listen for it to click. Don’t try to touch the needle or play with the white cover.
Hold the cotton ball in place for at least 10 seconds. For some people, sitting still for 5 to 10 minutes after the injection helps minimize discomfort.
Don’t discard the sharps container in your regular trash. When it’s nearly full, dispose of it through your doctor’s office or according to your local guidelines. If you live in the U. S. , learn about your state’s sharps disposal procedures at http://www. fda. gov/safesharpsdisposal. You may throw away the alcohol pad, cotton ball, dose tray, and other packaging in your regular garbage.
It’s wise to set reminders on your phone to avoid missing a dose. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose. If that’s the case, take your next dose as scheduled. [17] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
