Injection Sites

Proper injection site rotation is important for medication effectiveness and skin health. GLPea's body map helps you track where you inject and reminds you to rotate.

Why Rotate Injection Sites?

Injecting in the same spot repeatedly can cause:

• Lipohypertrophy - Hard lumps under the skin
• Decreased absorption - Medication may not work as well
• Skin irritation - Redness, itching, or soreness
• Scarring - Visible marks over time

Rotating sites prevents these issues and ensures consistent medication absorption.

Approved Injection Areas

Abdomen (Stomach)

The most popular site for self-injection

• Use the area around your belly button
• Stay at least 2 inches away from your navel
• Avoid areas with moles, scars, or stretch marks
• Best for those with some abdominal fat

How to inject:

1. Clean the area with alcohol
2. Pinch a fold of skin
3. Insert needle at 90° angle
4. Inject slowly
5. Release pinch, remove needle

Thigh (Upper Leg)

Easy to see and reach

• Use the front of your thigh
• Middle third of the thigh works best
• Avoid the inner thigh
• Great for people comfortable with leg injections

How to inject:

1. Sit in a comfortable position
2. Clean the area
3. Pinch skin if needed (depends on needle length)
4. Insert at 90° angle
5. Inject slowly

Upper Arm (Back of Arm)

May require assistance

• Use the back of your upper arm
• The fatty area between shoulder and elbow
• Can be hard to reach alone
• Consider asking someone to help

How to inject:

1. Have helper clean the area
2. Pinch the back of your arm
3. Insert needle
4. Inject slowly

GLPea's Site Tracking

How It Works

1. When logging a dose, tap your injection site on the body map
2. GLPea saves this location with your dose record
3. Next time you log, your previous site is highlighted
4. This reminds you to choose a different area

Viewing Site History

To see where you've been injecting:

1. Go to History tab
2. Filter by Doses
3. Each entry shows the injection site
4. Or view the body map in Progress → Injection Sites

Rotation Strategies

The Quadrant Method

Divide each area into 4 quadrants and rotate through them:

For abdomen:

1. Upper left
2. Upper right
3. Lower left
4. Lower right

Then move to another body area (thigh or arm) before returning.

The Clock Method

Imagine a clock face on your injection area:

• Week 1: 12 o'clock position
• Week 2: 3 o'clock position
• Week 3: 6 o'clock position
• Week 4: 9 o'clock position

The Body Rotation Method

Rotate between different body parts each week:

• Week 1: Right abdomen
• Week 2: Left thigh
• Week 3: Left abdomen
• Week 4: Right thigh

Site Selection Tips

Space It Out

Leave at least 1 inch between injection sites. The medication needs room to absorb properly.

Check the Area

Before injecting, look for:

• Bruises or tender spots
• Lumps or hardened areas
• Skin irritation

Avoid these areas and choose a healthy spot.

Same Time, Different Place

While you should inject on the same day each week, always choose a different spot within your preferred body area.

Common Questions

Can I always use my stomach? Yes, but rotate within the abdominal area. Use different quadrants and sides.

What if I have limited injection sites? Work with what you have. Just ensure you're not hitting the exact same spot repeatedly.

Does the site affect how the medication works? Absorption rates can vary slightly between sites, but this is generally not clinically significant for weekly injections.

What if I see a lump at an injection site? This may be lipohypertrophy. Avoid that area for several weeks and rotate to other sites. If it persists, mention it to your healthcare provider.