mixing medicine's....need help

Ok...this is my first time doing the injectables...I have been taking the lupron, but there is not mixing required. I have left a message at the RE's office to have a nurse call me, but I'm worried that they won't call me back and I was told to start the injections tonight. So, please...if anyone can answer this for me, I would appreciate it.

I was told to take 1 powder of Gonal-F and 1 powder of rerponex. I know I'm supposed to mix them together and basically only take 1 shot that has both of them in it.

Now...the question is, that each of these powders, also comes with a sodium chloride to mix with to take them from a powder to a liquid. So...do I mix the liquid and powder with the repronex....then I have a liquid...do I take that liquid straight into the gonal-f powder, of do I have to mix it with the liquid first and then the powder. I know at the end, I'm only supposed to end up with 1 shot that contains both medicines. I just don't know if 1 of the sodium chlorid liquids is not needed????

Thanks much.

Re: mixing medicine's....need help

You have to take 1ml of the liquid out of the vial, inject it into either of the dry, mix it, draw it out and inject it into the other vial, mix it, draw it out and inject it.
At least that's what I was taught to do. Your RE may say differently, but I don't think so.

Re: mixing medicine's....need help

Re: mixing medicine's....need help

found this on a website, I'm sorry I don't have any of my stuff here with me at work
this is for vials and the 2nd is ampules

Good luck Kim!!

******PREPARING SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS USING VIALS (e.g.Follistim)

Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
Gurnee & Crystal Lake, Illinois

(Details on preparing subcutaneous injections using ampules (Fertinex, Gonal-F) are described further down this page)

Remove syringe and needle (21 or 22G with 1 1/2 inch needle) from the wrapper, making sure needle is secure. Set aside.

Remove plastic caps from prescribed # of vials of medication and diluent.

Wipe tops of vials with alcohol to sterilize them. Don't touch the tops after they have been cleansed.

Uncap needle by pulling cap straight out. Do not twist.

Draw up 1 cc of air into syringe and inject into each powdered vial.

Draw up 1cc of air and inject into the diluent vial. Tip the diluent vial and with needle in the fluid, withdraw fluid to the 1 cc mark. Remove needle from vial.

Inject the diluent fluid into the vial of powder, gently aiming the fluid at the side of the vial.

The powder will dissolve quickly-do not shake the vial. This will create bubbles.

After the powder has dissolved, draw the reconstituted solution into the syringe.

This can be done in 2 ways:

Leave the vial on the counter, tilting the vial at the end to withdraw the all of the
solution.

After inserting the needle, raise the vial upside down to withdraw the medication.
Slowly lower the needle as you withdraw all of the solution.

If you are instructed to reconstitute 2-4 vials, simply take your filled syringe, insert the needle into the rubber stopper of the second vial, and inject the reconstituted mixture into it. Withdraw the fluid as described previously. Repeat this procedure for each vial up to 4. If you are taking more than 4 vials at a time, they must be divided up into 2 shots.

After drawing up the last vial of medication, carefully recap the needle. Change the needle to the 25G 5/8 inch needle.

If the uncapped needle ever comes into contact with anything but the medication or diluent in the vial, such as your finger or countertop, immediately remove the needle and replace it with a new one.

Next, hold the syringe straight up and tap it so that any air bubbles rise to the top. To get rid of the bubbles, slowly press the plunger just a little, until a drop of liquid forms at the tip of the needle.

You are now ready to give your injection.

Details on giving the injection



PREPARING SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS USING AMPULES (e.g. Gonal-F, Fertinex)

Remove syringe and needle from wrapper (21 or 22 gauge 1 1/2 inch needle), making sure needle is secure. Set aside.

Open the sodium chloride ampule by vertically holding the ampule base in one hand. With the other hand, grasp the top of the ampule between your thumb and index finger. With the dark dot facing away from you, snap the cap off in the direction away from you so the ampule breaks under the dot first. If done incorrectly, the ampule will shatter. Use an alcohol wipe or gauze pad under your fingers to protect them.

Open the prescribed number of medication ampules in the same manner.

Remove needle cover and draw up 1 cc ( or ml) of Sodium Chloride into the syringe.

Slowly inject the Sodium Chloride into the open ampule of medication. If you inject the Sodium chloride too quickly, the medication will bubble up and you will have to wait until the bubbles subside. If you need to use 2 to 4 ampules of medication, inject the solution you have just drawn up from the first medications ampule into the second ampule and draw it up. Continue this for up to 4 ampules of medication. This is the maximum number of ampules that should be given in one injection.

Carefully recap the needle after reconstitution is complete and change to a shorter needle (25gauge 5/8 inch) for administration.

Remove air bubbles by holding the syringe straight up with needle pointing up and tap it so that any air bubbles rise to the top. To get rid of the air bubbles at the top, Slowly press the plunger just a little, until a drop of liquid forms at the tip of the needle.

You are now ready to give your injection.

Details on giving the injection



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Re: mixing medicine's....need help

what about calling the pharmacy? they might be able to help also?

And remember to use a new needle for your injection since the other one will be dull from all the mixing

Re: mixing medicine's....need help

Re: mixing medicine's....need help

Thanks ladies. Just got off the phone with the nurse who finally called me back after playing phone tag. I appreciate the help!