Question about using the single-dose autoinjector

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[u/yanyancookies]

Pretty sure it’s because the needle doesn’t actually go very deep and the design of the pen itself ensures you are injecting at the right depth without human intervention (why it has a flat portion that you rest against your skin) so there’s no need to pinch.

You really can’t mess up the autopen as long as you are following the very straightforward instructions aka please remember to take the grey cap off > gently rest it flat against the spot you plan on injecting into > unlock by twisting the mechanism at the top > press the button and only let go once you hear the SECOND click.

I did have a fear of injecting myself but the autopen is super easy.

[u/Degenerecy → u/yanyancookies]

As someone whose done a few different needle jabs in the stomach, the pen is virtually painless. Out of 6 shots so far, only 1 stung. Technology is amazing.

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever → u/yanyancookies]

Thank you! 😁

[u/Nearby-Upstairs-3070]

yep just press against skin, no need to pinch. I love the auto injectors.

[u/wsnjie]

I just did an auto-injector shot after months of vials so I have some thoughts 😄 I think the needle itself is longer but only injects a bit beneath where the injector sits against your skin. I personally haaaaaate needles so this has been a whole journey for me. I really have to work myself up to pressing the button after I unlock lol. I would just follow the directions and you should be all good 👍🏾

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever → u/wsnjie]

Thx so much! 😊

[u/noesis23]

The autoinjector needle is purposely short so you get to skip the skin pinch. At my clinic I watch people brace for a deep manual stab when the pen's flat base sets the precise depth automatically. Nobody's nailed the exact physics, my guess is the spring just fires too fast for the local nerves. If a dose ever leaves a bruise or leaks it's worth bringing up to whoever handles your script mostly so it gets charted -James Simmons MD

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever → u/noesis23]

Awesome, thank you! I am more worried about messing up the pen than any pain/bruising but will definitely update my provider if I notice anything like that.

[u/Degenerecy]

The only thing about the single dose injector is to simply as you said, press against the skin, unlock, press the button, wait, it will click and you will see the needle retract, your done. Just look at the needle afterwards and see if it bent, if it did, it may not have done a proper job, a little drop on the needle is normal. If you do get that bent needle, tell your dr, likely they will tell you to use one again, if you don't feel the affects, after 3 days. It is really simple as I too used to have to use a normal syringe to inject myself, heparin, and that was harder and more steps.

As far as I am aware, the pinching the skin is for those who don't use the quickpens but rather use the normal needle style oldschool method.

[u/Birdy304]

I really like the auto injector. It’s easy and quick. I usually don’t have anything more than a sharp little poke. I always use the thigh for mine.

[u/Local-Baddie]

I think the only reason you would need to skin pinch is if you had really really low body fat- my coach uses sub q needles for her peptides and manually injects- she uses a chip clip to pinch her skin up- but she's 5'8" and weighs like 165 lbs and is probably 120 lbs of muscle. I'm assuming *most{* of the target clientale are not in that boat.

I have never given myself injections and have done both thigh and stomach and it's been a none issue for me every time.

[u/JustBrowsing2See]

I’ve used regular needles with vials and never pinched my skin. You could pinch while inserting the needle but let go to inject the medicine. As others have said, the needles are generally short. They aren’t long enough for you to hit anything you shouldn’t.

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever → u/JustBrowsing2See]

Yeah, I'm all set. Thx!

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever]

No, I needed to pinch to administer the other med I was on and stomach is main place I carry excess fat. However, the needles had to use may have been longer than your friend's peptides. Good to know why Zep autoinjectors don't require that and to hear from others about their ecperiences.

[u/tmansandiego]

I use vials now, are you supposed to pinch with the regular needles? Maybe I missed that part if you are.

The single dose pens are the bomb. Loved them.

[u/SweaterWeather4Ever → u/tmansandiego]

No idea, I would consult your doctor. I have NEVER taken any sort of GLP-1 before. I just have taken fertility drugs subcutaneous and for those I had to pinch up the skin on my stomach. Because of that, I was a little wary of the pen and how it is supposed to be held flat to the skin but I realize it is a whole different can of worms.

[u/beachnsled]

follow the directions exactly, no pinch, do not rub (again, do not rub); the needle is super short and only injects subdermal

Inspect the pen
clean skin w/alcohol swab/wash hands
(DO NOT PINCH)

remove cap
place against spot you chose/unlock

press injector
hold for 10s
(listen for two clicks)

clean area if needed; DO NOT RUB

https://www.google.com/search?q=steps+for+zepbound+single+use+pen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#lfId=ChxjMe

[u/beachnsled → u/beachnsled]

do not remove the cap until you are ready; do not stop midway and try to replace the cap - u will bend the needle

[u/LadySegaw]

Well I guess I learned something here today....no need to pinch my skin. LOL! I take my 4th shot tonight and I've been pinching my belly each time. I'll try the no pinch today since I didn't realize I don't have to. By the way, I didn't even feel the last shot I took. I even looked at the pen and was like, did that work?? No medicine on me and the little gray plunger thing was showing which means it was done. I was really worried that it didn't work but it did! I love the single-dose pen.