1. Roll the bottle (vial) gently between your hands. 
    This will warm the insulin if you have been keeping the bottle in the refrigerator. 
    Roll a bottle of cloudy insulin until the white powder has dissolved.

2. Wipe the rubber lid of the insulin bottle with an alcohol wipe or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol.     
    If you are using a bottle for the first time, remove the protective cover over the rubber lid.

3. Remove the plastic cap covering the needle on your insulin syringe (without touching the needle).

4. Pull the plunger of the syringe back and draw air into the syringe equal to the number of units of 
     insulin to be given.
 

Illustration of step 4.

5. Insert the needle of the syringe into the rubber lid of the insulin bottle. 
    Push the plunger of the syringe to force the air into the bottle. 
    This equalizes the pressure in the bottle when you remove the dose of insulin. 
    Leave the needle in the bottle.

Illustration of step 5.

6. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down and hold them in one hand. 
    Position the tip of the needle so that it is below the surface of insulin in the bottle. 
    Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with slightly more than the correct number 
    of units of insulin to be given.
 

Illustration of step 6.

7. Tap the outside (barrel) of the syringe so that trapped air bubbles move into the needle area. 
    Push the air bubbles back into the bottle. 
    Make sure you now have the correct number of units of insulin in your syringe.
 

Illustration of step 7.

8. Remove the needle from the bottle. 
    Now you are ready to give the injection.

Illustration of step 8.

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. 
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Page added on August 2, 2005