How to Give Your Testosterone Injection

Remove the Medication from the Refrigerator

Take the testosterone vial (bottle) out of the refrigerator and inspect the vial.

Check for:

• Cracks, damage, or leaks in the vial
• An expired medication date
• Particles floating in the solution
• Unusual color or appearance

Do not use medication if you notice any of these problems. Contact your pharmacy to get a new vial.

Let the medication warm to room temperature for about 20 minutes before giving the injection.

Collect Your Supplies

You will need:

• Testosterone vial (medication bottle)
• Syringe
• 18-gauge and 25-gauge needles
• Alcohol pad or cotton ball with rubbing alcohol
• Sharps container (used for needles and syringes)
• Optional: gauze and Band-Aid

Check Your Dose

Check your prescription or medication label to make sure you are using the correct dose before preparing the injection.

Reduce Discomfort (Optional)

If desired, place a cold pack on the injection site before cleaning the skin.

• Wrap the cold pack in a thin towel or cover.
• Remove the cold pack before cleaning the skin with alcohol.

Wash Your Hands

Wash thoroughly with soap and water, then dry with a clean towel before handling supplies.

1. Prepare the Vial

Check your prescription to make sure you are using the correct dose before preparing the injection. Remove the protective cap from the medication vial, if present.

Clean the rubber stopper using an alcohol pad.

2. Prepare the Syringe

Open the syringe package and attach the 18-gauge needle.

Pull back the plunger and draw in the same amount of air as the dose you will inject.

Remove the needle cover.

3. Insert the Needle into the Vial

Place the vial on a flat surface.

Insert the needle through the center of the rubber stopper.

Push the plunger to inject the air from the syringe into the vial. This helps make it easier to draw up the medication for injection.

4. Draw Up Medication

Hold the vial and syringe together and turn them upside down.

Keep the tip of the needle in the vial; you may need to adjust the needle to keep it in the medication.

Slowly pull back the plunger until you have drawn up the prescribed dose. It is normal to meet some resistance when drawing up the dose, due to the vacuum seal.

Use only the amount your provider ordered.

5. Remove Air Bubbles

Check the syringe carefully. If air bubbles remain in the syringe, tap the side of the syringe to bring them to the top. Then gently push the plunger up to remove remaining air bubbles and draw back on the plunger to the correct dose of medication.

6. Verify the Dose

Remove the vial from the needle.

Confirm that the correct amount of medication is in the syringe.

Avoid touching the needle. Place the syringe on a clean, sterile surface if needed.

7. Change the needle

Carefully remove the 18-gauge needle used to draw up the medication.

Without touching the tip of the syringe or needle connection, attach the 25-gauge needle that you will use for the injection.

8. Clean the Skin

Use an alcohol pad or cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to clean the injection area. 

Allow the skin to air dry completely.

Choosing the Injection Site

Use the middle outer part of your thigh (see illustration). To find the correct area:

• Sit in a chair with both feet flat on the floor.
• Place one hand just below your hip
• Place your other hand just above your knee
• Give the injection in the middle outer part of your thigh, as shown in the illustration.

8. Position the Needle

Relax the leg muscles.

Spread the skin firmly around the selected injection site.

Hold the syringe at a 90-degree angle to the skin.

9. Insert the Needle

Hold the syringe like a pencil.

Position it a few inches from the skin and insert the needle quickly and smoothly into the muscle.

Push the needle straight into the muscle until it is fully inserted, unless your health care provider told you to do something different. .

10. Inject Medication

Push the plunger slowly until all the medication is injected.

Release the skin.

11. Remove the Needle

Pull the needle straight out.

Apply gentle pressure to the site.

12. Cover the Area

Place clean gauze over the injection site and continue to hold light pressure if needed until any bleeding stops.

Do not:

• Massage the area
• Rub the site
• Apply creams, lotions, ointments, or powders immediately afterward

Place used needles and syringe in a sharp container right away. Never place used needles or syringes directly into household trash or recycling. For additional information about safe sharps disposal, visit: gillettechildrens.org/your-visit/patient-education/safe-sharps-disposal.

If you miss a dose:

• Take the dose as soon as possible.
• Do not take two doses at the same time unless specifically directed by your provider.

Contact your health care provider if more than 48 hours have passed since the missed dose or if you are unsure what to do

Consider using:

• Smartphone reminders
• Calendar alerts
• Medication tracking apps
• Written logs or journals

Plan ahead before trips to ensure you have enough medication and supplies.

If Traveling by Air

• Ask your health care provider for a letter if you need one to travel with your medication and supplies.
• Carry medication and supplies in your carry-on luggage.

At Your Destination

Store medication as directed on the prescription. If refrigeration is required, plan ahead of time.

To avoid missing doses:

• Use one pharmacy whenever possible.
• Monitor your remaining supply.
• Request refills before you run out.
• Allow extra processing and shipping time for mail-order prescriptions.

A good rule is to have at least one week's supply available before your next refill is needed.

Mild soreness, tenderness, or a small amount of bleeding at the injection site is common and should improve within a few days.

Call your health care provider if you experience:

• Redness, rash, or swelling at the injection site
• Severe pain or soreness lasting more than a few days
• Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher after an injection
• Questions about your medication or how to give the injection
• If you experience an erection that lasts more than 30 minutes, go to the Emergency Department.

Maintaining a record of your injections can help you stay on schedule and track any concerns. Record:

• Date
• Time
• Right or left thigh
• Any side effects or reactions

Share this information with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Example: