A once-weekly subcutaneous injection is not a big deal for most people I think, outside of those who are very afraid of needles. It's a tiny needle and you don't even feel it. I've given injections to people who are afraid of needles, and they sometimes close their eyes in fear and are begging me to "just get it over with" without even realizing that I'm already done. Anyway, all this to say that outside of needle-phobic people I think the annoyance of the injections is probably not the reason people stop taking GLP-1 agonists.
As someone who is mildly needle-phobic, I'll agree it's no big deal, but you definitely can feel it, and if you hit a blood vessel by accident, there's a (mostly painless) bump and 2-3 week bruise at the injection site, which might be a major issue for some.
Be sure to pull back on the plunger and ensure there the needle is not in a blood vessel (pulling back will draw blood into the thing and you will see).
You do not want the drug meant to subcutaneous to go into the blood steam. This is true for GPL-1s (all peptides for that matter), as well as insulin, and definitely mRNA vaccines.
Mounjaro uses a single use fully autometed injector--clean your skin, remove the cap, press the injector against your skin, then press a button. A springloaded needle penetrates you skin and a spring loaded plunger injects the medicine. You have no way to pull backthe plunger to see if you are in a vein/artery.
I've never used Ozempic, but my understanding was it used a device similar to insulin pens--dial you dosage, attach needle, insert needle, press at the base of the pen to inject the selected amount. Also no way to pull back to see if you hit a vein/artery.
Yeah, both Ozempic and Trulicity have automated systems like this, just press a button and pop. Is there even a way to hit a vein? The needle is not very deep (it's subcutaneous, just barely under the skin). And it's the stomach, which AFAIK, doesn't have a lot of exposed veins?
Either way super simple and quick. Fairly painless. I had a weird rash one time, but apart from that a total of about 15 injections haven't had any issues on either Ozempic or Trulicity in terms of injections. Others may have difficulties, but it's been super easy IMO.
You can get these drugs with a vial and needles and it’s cheaper that way. Not familiar with the autoinjectors, but the instructions when using a vial and insulin needles is definitely to pull back.
Peptides don’t have the same negatives as say insulin, but preferable to not have them in your bloodstream nonetheless.
Mounjaro uses very different designs across the world. The UK has an included needle; here in Germany you need to get them yourself, and neither is an auto-injector.
I understand if you have an autoinjector, you _can't_ do this, but this is how I was trained to give injections as an EMT-B (and paramedic training provided by the Army, as I was an Army medic).
It was common practice at some point, and keeps being taught, but it's no longer recommended even for IM by most medical associations (unless your injection site is considered high risk; but that pretty much is never the case for SubQ 4-6mm with 4-6mm needles).
I went down this rabbit hole after being handed a 100 pack of insulin needles and an estradiol vial with zero instruction - seemed irresponsible at first, but it turns out it's pretty hard to mess up.
Not sure why you are being downvoted. Some of the people using the brand name medication have some sort of auto-pen style injection but anyone using generics simply injects with an insulin pin. I always just pull back on the plunger (aspirate) before injecting. I currently take 18 shots a week (I'm very pro better living through chemistry) and do this every time. No issues.
I take 18 shots a week - Big fan of better living through chemistry
I don't even notice the SubQ shots anymore. The only annoying part is I have to lean forward to find enough belly fat when I shoot there.
Still not a huge fan of the IM injections into my legs but we all suffer for our art.
It is correct (belly). :-) I think I remember it being less painful when I was fatter? The 30G/8mm needles I'm using are smaller than your 27G/13mm needles in both dimensions; should be better, if anything. Again, it's not a big deal, but I feel it.
It’s mostly random and some people do feel it more than others.
It’s a rapidly absorbed peptide suspended in water, it could even be used with a transdermal patch, so it doesn’t matter that much where it gets in or how deep. Best to avoid painful areas though.
