Where do you inject Benlysta?
Benlysta injections given at home are injected subcutaneously (this means just under the skin) and there are 2 main areas where Benlysta can be injected:
- The stomach area (your belly) except for a 2-inch circle around your navel (belly button)
- The top and outer part of your thighs, but not your inner thighs or anywhere close to your knee.
The easiest way to inject Benlysta under the skin is to pinch up a fold of skin using your thumb and forefinger on your stomach or thigh or use your knee to create a pinched up area if you are injecting into your upper, outer arm (or have somebody else administer the injection for you).
To keep your skin from thickening or getting lumpy, try not to inject in the same spot. Instead, rotate injection places. If you need to give yourself 2 Benlysta injections, leave at least 2 inches between each injection.
Injections of Benlysta are usually less painful if you allow the autoinjector or prefilled syringe to warm up to room temperature for a couple of hours before using. Some people report injecting Benlysta into the stomach to be less painful than into the thighs, and that the prefilled syringe is less painful than the autoinjector because you can inject the prefilled syringe more slowly.
References
Benlysta (belimumab) https://www.drugs.com/pro/benlysta.html
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- Benlysta Information for Consumers
- Benlysta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Benlysta (detailed)
- Benlysta user reviews (62)
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