How to Use the Prefilled Syringe

It is important for your patients to know that they should not give themselves a CIMZIA injection unless they have been shown how by a doctor or nurse, or someone they know has been trained to help them with their injections. You can watch the following video or read the instructions below to learn the steps your patients need to follow to inject CIMZIA.

What do I need to do to prepare and give an injection of CIMZIA?

Do not use the CIMZIA prefilled syringe if:

• Any name other than “CIMZIA” is on the package and prefilled syringe label
• The expiration date on the container has passed
• The packaging is torn or if the tamper evident seals are missing or broken on the top and bottom of the carton when you receive it. If this is the case, contact your pharmacist
• The prefilled syringe is frozen or has been left in direct sunlight
• The medicine in the prefilled syringe is not clear to pale yellow, or has large, colored particles in it

Preparing to use the CIMZIA prefilled syringe

Each CIMZIA prefilled syringe package comes with these items in a tray:

• 2 glass prefilled syringes of CIMZIA. Each has a fixed needle
• 2 alcohol swabs

For each injection you will use:

• 1 prefilled syringe of CIMZIA with needle
• 1 alcohol swab

For each injection you will also need:

• 1 clean cotton ball or gauze pads. These are not included in CIMZIA prefilled syringe package
• A puncture-proof container for disposing of used needles and syringes. (See the section entitled “How to Dispose of Needles and Syringes”)

If you do not have all the supplies you need, talk to your pharmacist.

• Each prefilled syringe contains the right dose of medicine for one injection (200 mg)
• Depending on the amount of CIMZIA prescribed by your doctor, you may need to take more than one injection
• If you are prescribed to take 400 mg of CIMZIA, you will need to take two injections. You will need to use two CIMZIA prefilled syringes
• CIMZIA may be injected into your abdomen or thigh area. If you are prescribed to take more than one injection, each injection should be given at a different injection site, in your abdomen and thigh

1. Take either one or two CIMZIA prefilled syringes and alcohol swabs out of the refrigerator for injection, depending on your prescribed dose. If there is still a prefilled syringe in the carton, put it back in the refrigerator right away. If both prefilled syringes are used, throw away the empty carton after you finish your injection.
2. Let the medicine in the syringe come to room temperature before injection. This will take about 30 minutes.
3. Take either one or two CIMZIA prefilled syringes and alcohol swabs out of the refrigerator for injection, depending on your prescribed dose. If there is still a prefilled syringe in the carton, put it back in the refrigerator right away. If both prefilled syringes are used, throw away the empty carton after you finish your injection.
4. Let the medicine in the syringe come to room temperature before injection. This will take about 30 minutes.

For your protection, it's important that you carefully follow these instructions:

3. Wash your hands thoroughly.



4. Choose a different site on your abdomen or thigh for each injection. Each new injection should be given at least one inch from a site you used before. If you choose the abdomen, avoid the 2 inches around your navel. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red or hard or where you have scars or stretch marks. Change injection sites between your abdomen and thighs to reduce the risk of reaction. You may find it helpful to keep notes on the locations of injection sites you use.
5. Use an alcohol swab to wipe over the site where you will inject CIMZIA. Do not touch the clean area again until you are ready for the injection.

Using the CIMZIA prefilled syringe



6. Remove the needle cover by pulling straight up on the plastic ring. Take care not to touch the needle and do not allow the needle to touch any surface. Place the needle cover to the side.



7. Hold the syringe so the needle is pointing up. Lightly tap the syringe to push any air bubbles to the top. Push the plunger slowly to remove any bubbles. Stop pushing the plunger once all of the air bubbles are gone. If a small drop of liquid comes out of the needle, that is okay.



8. Hold the syringe with the needle facing down. Do not touch the needle with your fingers or let it touch any surface.
9. Hold the syringe in one hand. Use the other hand to gently pinch a fold of cleaned area of skin. Insert the needle at about a 45 degree angle with a quick, short, "dart-like" motion.



10. Release the skin pinch, keeping the syringe in position. Pull back slowly on the plunger. If blood enters the syringe, this means you have entered a blood vessel. Do not inject CIMZIA. Pull the needle out and throw away the prefilled syringe and needle in a puncture-proof container. Repeat the steps to prepare for an injection using a new prefilled syringe. Do not use the same prefilled syringe.
11. If no blood appears, inject all of the medicine in the prefilled syringe under the skin.
12. When the syringe is empty, remove the needle from the skin and press the clean cotton ball or gauze pad over the injection site for ten seconds. Do not rub the injection site. You may have a slight amount of bleeding. This is normal.



13. To avoid needle-stick injury, do not try to recap the needle. Throw away the used prefilled syringe and needle in a special puncture-proof container (see the section entitled “How to Dispose of Needles and Syringes”)
14. Repeat steps 5-13 above if you are prescribed to take a second injection of CIMZIA (total 400 mg dose).