This video explains how to give an
emergency injection of Solu-Cortef with
a safety syringe. You will need a bottle
of Solu-Cortef (this is hydrocortisone
powder for injection and the bottle
contains a hundred milligrams
hydrocortisone sodium succinate), a glass
or plastic vial of sterile water, a
safety syringe and some tissues.
Check the expiry date or best before date on
the bottle. If it's expired but it's the
only medication you have use it anyway.
Now lift off the yellow plastic seal.
Break open the water vial.
Peel open the safety syringe.
Uncap the syringe.
Put the needle into the water vial
and slowly draw up between one and two
millilitres of liquid by pulling back
the plunger.
Insert the needle into the
Solu-Cortef bottle.
Slowly depress the plunger to release
all the water and leave an air gap
inside the syringe.
Gently agitate the solution.
Once the liquid has become clear, insert
the needle back into the rubber stopper.
Tip the Solu-Cortef bottle upside down,
drawing up all of the solution into the syringe.
Make sure the needle stays below the
surface of the liquid.
Hold up the syringe at eye level and tap
the side to loosen any air bubbles.
Remove any air by squeezing the plunger
until a drop of liquid appears at the
tip of the needle. The safety syringe
needle can be injected into the deepest
area of muscle on either your upper arm
or the middle third of your thigh.
Hold the needle like a dart over the
injection site and plunge it into the
muscle. Slowly push the plunger in fully,
until all the liquid has gone. Keep your
thumb on the plunger whilst you gently
withdraw the needle. Push the plunger
again firmly. You will hear a click as
the needle springs back into the syringe.
Press down gently onto the injection site
until any bleeding stops.
Dispose of the needle safely.
Now seek further medical advice by
calling 999 or contacting your GP.
