How to prepare your pre-filled pen

Check the name and coloured label of the pen to ensure that it contains liraglutide. Using the wrong medicine could cause them severe harm. Once checked, you can pull off the pen cap.

Check that the solution in the pen is clear and colourless by looking through the pen window. Do not use the pen if the solution looks cloudy.

Remove the paper tab from a new disposable needle.

Screw the needle straight and tightly onto the pen.

The needle is covered by two caps. Remove the outer needle cap and place on a clean surface for later.

Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. A drop of solution may appear at the needle tip. This is normal, but if you are using a new pen, you must still check the flow is working correctly. Do not attach a new needle to the pen until you are ready to have the injection.

Before using a new pen for the first time, you should check the flow. If the pen is already in use, jump to: ‘Select the dose’. If using a new pen, turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol right past 0.

Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Tap the cartridge gently with your finger a few times. This will make any air bubbles collect at the top of the cartridge

Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip. If no drop appears, repeat this step up to 6 times. If there is still no drop, the needle should be changed, and the steps repeated with a new pen.

Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the dose that you need to take (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3.0 mg). If the wrong dose is selected, the dose selector can be turned forwards or backwards to the correct setting. Only the dose counter and dose pointer will show how much medicine has been selected. The selected dose must line up precisely with the dose pointer to ensure you get the correct dose.

If the dose selector stops before the required dose lines up with the pointer there is not enough medicine left for a full dose. You can either prepare a new full pen for injection or, if advised by your doctor or nurse, split your doses.

You can split your dose between the current pen and a new pen. Turn the dose selector in either direction until 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg lines up with the pointer, then inject. You should then prepare a new pen for injection and inject the rest of the dose needed. A calculator may help you to plan the doses.

Insert the needle into the skin as shown by your doctor or nurse. Make sure you can see the dose counter. Try not to cover it with your fingers as this might interrupt the injection.

Press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. You may then hear or feel a click.

Keep the needle in your skin after the dose counter has returned to 0 and count slowly to 6. If the needle is removed earlier, you may see a stream of solution coming from the needle tip, meaning the full dose has not been delivered.

Remove the needle from the skin and release the dose button. If blood appears at the injection site, you should press lightly, but do not rub the area. You may see a drop of solution at the needle tip after injecting. This is normal and does not affect the dose.

Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface without touching the needle or the outer needle cap.

Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on. Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully.

Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect the solution from light. Always dispose the needle after each injection. When the pen is empty, throw it away without a needle on as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.