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Proper Way to Inject Lovenox Without Losing the Air Bubble

Lovenox, a drug most commonly administered by self-injection, is a blood thinner used to prevent and treat blood clots. Self-injection can be tricky at first, but proper technique--which often includes injecting the air bubble at the end to hold the medicine in the body--allows your body to successfully absorb the medication, resulting in effective treatment.

  1. Disinfecting Your Skin

    • Clean the injection point--usually a spot on your stomach at least 2 inches from your belly button--with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry thoroughly to prevent a stinging sensation when you insert the needle.

    Icing Your Skin

    • If desired, apply ice to the insertion area for 60 seconds, as this will numb the area to prevent feeling the uncomfortable prick of the needle and minimize the burning sensation often associated with Lovenox injection.

    Preparing the Syringe

    • Pull the needle cap from the syringe in a straight line to avoid snapping the needle. If the needle bends or snaps, discard and start over with another syringe so the bad needle does not break off beneath your skin.

    Positioning the Air Bubble

    • Hold the syringe so the needle is facing down. If the air bubble is not already positioned at the top of the syringe--opposite the needle--gentle tap the syringe until the air bubble moves to the top. It should be the last part of the syringe's contents to be inserted.

    Inserting the Needle

    • With your free hand, pinch an inch of your pre-cleaned skin--the way you might grab a layer of belly fat--and insert the entire needle into your skin, preferably at a 90-degree angle.

    Inserting the Medication and Air Bubble

    • Holding the syringe top between your first and middle fingers, slowly push down on the plunger with your thumb. Continue until the syringe is empty and you see or hear the air bubble go into your skin, as this air bubble will not harm you and ensures that all the medicine has gone in.

    Finishing the Injection

    • Remove the needle and release the pinch of skin, because you're done!

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