Injecting Air Instead of Medication
Users on Reddit have shared a few experiences related to injecting air or having air bubbles when administering GLP-1 medications. These instances are often attributed to not priming the injection device correctly or general injection technique.
Experiences with Injecting Air/Air Bubbles:
One user described developing a "small bump that was super itchy" after injecting what they believed was an air bubble. [1]
Another user noted that the site with the bubble "bled a little. " Despite this, they "still felt the effects of the meds, so my body did absorb it. "[2]
The bubble may resolve on its own. For one user, after they "put some compression on the area... the bubble went down maybe an hour after injection. "[2]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Prevention - Injection Technique: A provider gave advice on proper injection technique to avoid such issues: "making sure I inject at a 90 degree angle (straight in), push the needle all the way in, inject slowly (I go probably 1 second per 10 units), and hold the needle there for 5-10 seconds before pulling it out. Then immediately press on the area and massage. Hasn’t happened since! "[2]
Remedy - Compression: If a bubble does occur, one user found that applying "some compression on the area" helped the bubble to subside.
Experiences with Injecting Air/Air Bubbles:
- Some users report seeing a "tiny bubble" or a "little bubble under the skin" at the injection site.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Cause and Prevention - Priming: A user acknowledged injecting an air bubble because they "didn’t want to waste any of the precious drops of what was left of my medication so I didn’t want to do the little extra squeeze before injecting (foolish).