Injecting drugs brings risk, such as HIV, hepatitis, endocarditis (infection of heart lining), skin infections, and overdose. There are steps you can take to lower your risk.

Injecting into any vein is also called mainlining.

Follow proper infection control practices and maintain aseptic technique during the preparation and administration of injected medications (e.g., perform hand hygiene). Never administer …

It gives step-by-step instructions for preparing and injecting the medication. It also covers safety precautions. The instructions in this guide apply whether you are giving the injection to …

If you can’t wash your hands use plenty of new swabs to clean them, particularly the parts of your fingers and hands that will be in contact with any injecting materials.

Inject the air from the syringe into the vial. Turn the vial upside down with the needle remaining in the vial. The needle will be pointing upward. Make sure the tip of the needle inside the vial is …

INJECTING and your health There are many things that you can do to take care of your health and to reduce the risks associated with injecting drugs. This booklet has information on safer …