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Medical Pens & Injection Terms Explained

Understand pen cartridges, device compatibility and the difference between injection routes, without a universal dosing protocol.

Updated 29 October 2026 · General information, not individual medical instructions.

Understanding refillable pens

Some pens accept replacement cartridges; others are disposable. Identify the exact make and model before selecting a cartridge or needle.

For a reusable device, follow its supplied instructions for compatible cartridges, assembly, flow checks, dose selection and maintenance. Have a pharmacist demonstrate these steps. Do not assume that clicks or dial markings translate to the same amount across devices or concentrations.

Never refill a disposable pen or transfer a vial into a cartridge unless the product and device instructions explicitly support that use.

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Injection routes & sites

Subcutaneous means under the skin; intramuscular means into muscle. These routes are different and must not be substituted.

The suitable site and technique depend on the prescribed medicine and its instructions. Obtain a demonstration from a healthcare professional for your exact product. This page does not provide a universal injection technique.

Never share a pen. Use fresh, sterile single-use equipment as directed; changing a needle does not make a used syringe safe to share. CDC source

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Sources and further reading

  1. CDC: injection safety
  2. FDA: measurement-related errors with compounded semaglutide

The exact product label and device instructions are needed for preparation, storage and use.

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