Injection instructions

Important information

Before you use an Aranesp® prefilled syringe, read this important information.

Storing your prefilled syringe

Keep the prefilled syringe out of the reach of children.
Keep the prefilled syringe in the original carton to protect from light or physical damage.
The prefilled syringe should be kept in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
Do NOT store the prefilled syringe in extreme heat or cold. For example, avoid storing in your vehicle’s glove box or trunk.
Do NOT freeze.

Using your prefilled syringe

It is important that you do not try to give the injection unless you or your caregiver has received training from your healthcare professional.

Make sure the name Aranesp® appears on the carton and prefilled syringe label.
Check the carton and prefilled syringe label to make sure the dose strength (number of micrograms [mcg]) matches your prescription.
Do NOT use a prefilled syringe after the expiration date on the label.
Do NOT shake the prefilled syringe.
Do NOT remove the grey needle cap from the prefilled syringe until you are ready to inject.
Do NOT use the prefilled syringe if the carton is open or damaged.
Do NOT use a prefilled syringe if it has been dropped on a hard surface. Part of the prefilled syringe may be broken even if you cannot see the break. Use a new prefilled syringe.
Do NOT slide the yellow safety guard over the needle before the injection. This will “activate” or lock the yellow safety guard. Use a new prefilled syringe that has not been activated and is ready to use.

In any of the above cases, use a new prefilled syringe.

This product contains dry natural rubber, which is made from latex, within the grey needle cap. Tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to latex.

Call your healthcare professional or Amgen Medical Information at 1-866-502-6436 if you have any questions. For more information, contact the AIDe Program at 1-866-479-6377.

Step 1: Prepare
Remove the prefilled syringe carton from the refrigerator.

Remove one prefilled syringe from the carton and put the original package with any unused prefilled syringes back in the refrigerator.

Do NOT use the prefilled syringe if the carton is damaged.

Do NOT try to warm the prefilled syringe by using a heat source such as hot water or microwave.

Do NOT leave the prefilled syringe in direct sunlight.

Do NOT shake the prefilled syringe.

Open the tray by peeling away the cover. Grab the yellow safety guard to remove the prefilled syringe from the tray.

For safety reasons:

Do NOT grab the plunger rod.

Do NOT grab the grey needle cap.

Inspect the medicine and prefilled syringe.

Always hold the syringe by the syringe barrel.

Make sure the medicine in the prefilled syringe is clear and colourless.

Do NOT use the prefilled syringe if:

the medicine is cloudy or discoloured or contains flakes or particles.

any part appears cracked or broken.

the prefilled syringe has been dropped.

the grey needle cap is missing or not securely attached.

the expiration date printed on the label has passed.

Gather all materials needed for your injection.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

On a clean, well-lit work surface, place the:

Prefilled syringe

Alcohol wipe

Cotton ball or gauze pad

Adhesive bandage

Sharps disposal container

PROCEED TO Step 2: Get Ready
Step 2: Get ready
Prepare and clean site for subcutaneous injection.

You can use:

Thigh

Stomach area (abdomen), except for a 5-cm (2-inch) area right around your navel (belly button).

Upper outer area of your buttocks (only if someone else is giving you the injection).

Outer area of upper arm (only if someone else is giving you the injection).

Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. Let your skin dry.

Do NOT touch this area again before injecting.

Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. If you want to use the same injection site, make sure it is not the same spot on the injection site area you used for a previous injection.

Do NOT inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard. Avoid injecting into areas with scars or stretch marks.

Important: Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions about selecting sites for injection appropriate to you and about changing the site for each injection.

Hold the prefilled syringe by the syringe barrel. Carefully pull the grey needle cap straight off and away from your body.

Do NOT remove the grey needle cap from the prefilled syringe until you are ready to inject.

Do NOT twist or bend the grey needle cap.

Do NOT hold the prefilled syringe by the plunger rod.

Do NOT put the grey needle cap back onto the prefilled syringe.

Important: Throw the grey needle cap into the sharps disposal container.

PROCEED TO Step 3a: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection
OR
PROCEED TO Step 3b: Port injection

READ THIS BEFORE YOU INJECT.

In Step 3, choose between Subcutaneous (3a) OR Port injection (3b) based on your healthcare professional’s instructions.

Step 3a: Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection

Pinch your injection site to create a firm surface.

Important: Keep skin pinched while injecting.

Hold the pinch. Insert the needle into the skin at 45 to 90 degrees.

Continue to hold the pinch. Using slow and constant pressure, push the plunger rod until it reaches the bottom.

When done, gently pull the syringe off of your skin and continue to Step 4.

Important: When you remove the syringe, if it looks like the medicine is still in the syringe barrel, this means you have not received a full dose. Call your healthcare professional immediately.

PROCEED TO Step 4: Finish

OR

Step 3b: Port injection

If your healthcare professional has prescribed an injection into your home hemodialysis system, you should be first trained by your healthcare professional and then follow the procedure described below.

A. Locate the port on the hemodialysis tubing where your healthcare professional prescribed you to inject. Do NOT inject into the hemodialysis tubing.

B. Clean the port with an alcohol wipe.

C. Insert the prefilled syringe needle at a 90° angle, directly into the center of the rubber septum located on the cleaned port. Do NOT bend the needle. The rubber septum may require increased pressure to penetrate with the needle.

D. Push the plunger down until it reaches the bottom.

E. Remove the syringe from the port.

PROCEED TO Step 4: Finish
Step 4: Finish
Before you finish!

For your safety, pull the yellow safety guard until it clicks and covers the needle.

Once extended, the yellow safety guard will lock into position and will not slide back over the needle.

Keep your hands away from the needle at all times.

Discard (throw away) the used prefilled syringe.

Put the used prefilled syringe in a sharps disposal container right away after use. Do NOT throw away (dispose of) the syringe in the household trash.

If you do not have a sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:

made of a heavy-duty plastic,

can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out,

upright and stable during use,

leak-resistant, and

properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.

When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be provincial or local laws about how you should throw away used needles and syringes.

Do NOT reuse the prefilled syringe.

Do NOT recycle the prefilled syringe or sharps disposal container or throw them into household trash.

Important: Always keep the sharps disposal container out of the reach of children.

Examine the subcutaneous injection site.

If there is blood, press a cotton ball or gauze pad on the injection site. Do NOT rub the injection site. Apply an adhesive bandage if needed.