How to give yourself an epinephrine shot
1. Grasp the injector in one fist with the tip pointing down. Be sure you know which end of the epinephrine shot injector is the tip and which end is the top. Do not touch the tip.
2. With your other hand, pull off the cap.
3. Give the injection.
- Hold the tip close to your outer thigh.
- Swing and jab the tip firmly into your outer thigh. Jab through clothing if you must, but bare skin is best. The injector should go straight into your skin, at a 90-degree angle to your thigh.
- Keep the injector in your thigh for 10 seconds. The injection is then complete.
- It is normal for most of the liquid to be left in the injector. Do not try to inject the remaining liquid.
4. Remove the injector and rub the skin area. After removing the injector, place your hand on the area where the medicine entered your skin. Rub the area, using a circular motion, for about 10 seconds.
5. Put the used injector—needle-first—back into its storage tube. Do not bend the needle. Screw on the cap of the storage tube.
Go to the emergency room, and bring the used injector with you.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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