When using glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs (GLP-1s) for weight loss or diabetes, you need to get comfortable with injecting the medication under your skin (subcutaneously). Typically, you will target your stomach, thigh, or upper arm because these areas tend to have more fat tissue.
When injecting the medication, rotate sites or avoid injecting it in the same spot twice in a row. This helps prevent injection site reactions like swelling and rashes. It may also prevent lipohypertrophy, which is when a lump of fatty tissue forms under the skin.
Why It Works: While research is not conclusive, some studies have found that injecting a GLP-1 into your abdomen may help with the absorption rate. One study found that people who injected the medication into the fat on their stomach absorbed the medication more quickly than those who used their thigh as an injection site. However, these differences were very minor, and more research is needed.
How To Do It: Pick a location that is below your ribs and above your hip bones. The injection site should be at least 2 inches away from your belly button and at least 1 inch away from a previous injection site. Also, make sure to wash your hands and dry them with a clean paper towel before performing the injection, and disinfect the injection site with an alcohol pad.
What To Avoid: Avoid injecting the medication into broken or swollen skin. You should also avoid scars, stretch marks, tattoos, or areas where there is redness or irritation.
Why It Works: Your thigh typically has enough fatty tissue that you can find a good injection site. It is also easy to see and reach, and may feel less invasive than using your abdomen. However, some studies on injections have found that people sometimes find injections in the thigh more painful than in the abdomen.
How To Do It: Choose a location on the outer part of your thigh where there is enough fatty tissue to avoid the muscle. Just like the abdomen, you should wash your hands beforehand, dry them with a clean paper towel, and disinfect the skin with an alcohol pad.
What To Avoid: If you have shaved the area recently, avoid using your thigh as an injection site. Also, steer clear of areas that are red, irritated, sore (from a workout), or that contain stretch marks or tattoos. Make sure your injection site is at least 1 inch away from a previous injection site.
Why It Works: Some people like using the upper arm as an injection site because it does not require getting undressed like using your thigh might. However, your upper arm can be somewhat harder to reach while keeping the needle at a 90-degree angle.
How To Do It: Select an area that is at least 3 inches below your shoulder and 3 inches above your elbow, on the side or back of your arm. This is typically considered your tricep area. You may need to ask someone to help you with the injection to get the right angle. Again, make sure you or the injector’s hands are clean and the skin is disinfected.
What To Avoid: As with the other injection sites, avoid skin that contains tattoos, scars, bruising, or stretch marks. You should also avoid skin areas that are broken, red, or irritated. If your arm is sore from a workout, choose a different location.
