The word “subcutaneous” means “under the skin.” A subcutaneous treatment option involves receiving medicine through a needle under the skin.
ZILBRYSQ is given as an injection under the skin (for subcutaneous use) in a prefilled syringe.
Insert the entire needle into the pinched skin at a 45° to 90° angle.
Click here to learn more about subcutaneous injections.
Your healthcare provider should show you how to prepare and inject ZILBRYSQ prefilled syringe properly before you use it for the first time. Do not inject yourself or someone else until you have been shown how to inject ZILBRYSQ correctly.
As you learn how to self-inject ZILBRYSQ, follow the Instructions for Use found in the ZILBRYSQ Step-by-Step Injection Guide. If you have questions, you can reach out to your ONWARD Care Coordinator for injection refresher training.
INJECTION TIPS: COPING WITH NEEDLE FEAR
If you’re feeling anxious about self-injecting, you’re not alone. Needle fear can range from slight concern to more serious anxiety. It’s estimated that around 1 in 10 people have a fear of needles.
You may be concerned about injecting yourself, even if you’re not usually worried about injections given by someone else. This may be linked to concerns about being able to self-inject properly. If you’ve previously had unpleasant experiences with injections, that may also affect how you feel about self-injecting, even if you know that having a quick injection under the skin can be a different experience.
Outside opinions can affect how you feel about self-injecting, even if you know that having a quick injection under the skin can be a different experience.
Needle fears are common, so never hesitate to discuss them with your healthcare team. It’s likely you’ll quickly get used to self-injecting and will look back and feel proud you’ve overcome your concerns.
Click below to download helpful tips and techniques for getting confident about self-injecting and managing needle fear.
Your healthcare professional will explain how to choose and rotate injection sites when you have your self-injection training. Rotating injection sites means choosing a different spot to inject each time you give yourself an injection. This helps to prevent irritation to the skin and a buildup of tissue that can occur if you inject in the same place.
Do not inject ZILBRYSQ into an area that is red, tender, bruised, swollen, hard, or that has scars or stretch marks.
MY ZILBRYSQ INJECTION-SITE TRACKING
The ZILBRYSQ treatment tracking diary may help you document and monitor your injections. This comprehensive companion document includes resources to help you with:
- injection tracking
- symptom tracking
- external factor tracking (ex., stress & other illnesses)
- supplies checklist
- prompts for reflecting on the treatment journey and focusing on the future
If you don’t already have this diary, your Care Coordinator can provide you with one or you can download the diary by clicking the button below.
Don’t need a detailed diary? Click below to download a simple, three-page tip sheet for tracking your treatment sites, including a helpful tracking chart.
There are two ways you can store ZILBRYSQ. For both storage options, keep the syringes in their original cartons to protect them from light until time of use. Never freeze your ZILBRYSQ prefilled syringes. Keep ZILBRYSQ prefilled syringes and all medicines out of the reach of children.
ZILBRYSQ storage options
REFRIGERATED
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
- Until expiration date on the carton.
ROOM TEMPERATURE
Up to 86°F (30°C)*
- Up to 3 months after removing from refrigerator or until expiration date on the carton, whichever occurs first.
* After ZILBRYSQ prefilled syringes have been stored at room temperature, do not place them back in the refrigerator.
Don’t place ZILBRYSQ back in the refrigerator after storing at room temperature.
Don’t use ZILBRYSQ if it has not been used within 3 months of storing at room temperature.
Don’t use ZILBRYSQ if the expiration date on the carton has passed.
Find space for storage
- If you receive a 1-month supply, it will be a 28-pack outer carton that contains 4 inner cartons
- Each ZILBRYSQ inner carton contains 7 prefilled syringes
Find a place for your waste container
Do not throw away (dispose of) the ZILBRYSQ prefilled syringes in your household trash. If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
- Made of 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
- Properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container
Do not throw away (dispose of) your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this.
Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.
Always keep the sharps disposal container out of the reach of children.
Note: When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of the container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away your used needles and syringes. For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state you live in, go to the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.