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How many syringes do you use a day?

48 replies28 peopleOct 14, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Is it safe to reuse the same syringe and needle across multiple peptide injections in one day?

Most participants strongly advise against reusing syringes or needles, citing loss of sterility, risk of contamination to peptides or the user, and the low cost of new supplies. A minority report doing so for months or years without apparent problems and cite diabetic practices as precedent. Daily syringe counts vary widely depending on the number of peptides used, with many preferring pens and pen needles for convenience and reduced risk.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether personal experience of no infection over months or years justifies continuing the practice versus following single-use guidelines.

Still open

Actual long-term infection or peptide degradation rates from this reuse method.

Nothing here is advice.

48 replies · 28 people
SteadyMeadow42archiveopening post1d

When I was using several peptides daily, it came to three or four syringes each day. Now I stick with just one. I draw up the first peptide, inject it, then before the next one I pull in some air and push it out a few times, cleaning the needle with alcohol between those steps. I've kept this up for months without issues. Anyone else try similar methods? Appreciate all the thoughts.💉

WarmMeadow92archive1d

Wow, the urge hit me to crack a joke about sticking with one needle for a year and a half, scrubbing it clean each time before tucking it into the sofa, yet that felt like it could land wrong. Chuckling aside, once the shot goes in, that needle and syringe lose all cleanliness. Forcing out air or swabbing with wipes won't bring it back. Since they're so affordable, I see no reason to gamble on problems. Pleased things have stayed fine for you up to this point, though it still strikes me as a dangerous game of chance.

IronCinder77archive1d
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42 (opening post)

Doing this kind of thing feels risky to me because the peptides could easily pick up contaminants and that might lead straight to an infection. Basic syringes cost very little and those pen-style devices with matching needles often end up even less expensive.

They're inexpensive enough that reusing them makes no sense to me. It might harm or ruin the peptides, and that depends on the particular kind involved.

CopperAlder51archive1d

These cost the least out of everything involved with peptides. The needles on insulin syringes lose their sharpness after just one shot. Wiping the tip won't cut down on any germs at all. That's why they're meant to be thrown away after using once. It's like taking a huge unnecessary risk.

NorthWillow72archive23h
↳ replying to @CopperAlder51

I used to rely on three small ones each time I needed to mix something up, before getting the bigger size. Reusing something after washing it just doesn't make sense in my mind. Sticking with that approach over a long period feels like tempting fate repeatedly, where luck might hold or fail right away. Spending a bit more seems worthwhile to avoid risks.

SteadyMeadow42archive23h

People, I want to hear about your everyday syringe consumption rate. That's why I titled the thread this way.

QuietThistle70archive23h

After multiple uses on the same vial and prior injections, I wonder about the difficulty of getting the needle through the skin. My former spouse dealt with type 2 diabetes over two decades. She swapped the insulin pen needle perhaps daily while doing several injections each day. Folks in similar situations often become accustomed to the repeated pricks over many years. She avoided any infections from contamination. The main risk I see involves mixing different substances that might not work well together. Every time I inject, I attach a fresh needle. I administer something nightly, though rarely exceeding two in that period, and typically stick to one compound daily.

NorthWillow72archive23h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42

My weekly amount stands at five unless reconnaissance requires inclusion.

SteadyMeadow42archive23h
↳ replying to @QuietThistle70

Two decades without getting infected at all. Such a lengthy span. I wonder if the needle was cleaned off between each one.

SteadyMeadow42archive23h

I've come across info that this type of sterile water made for shots includes a small dose of benzyl alcohol to stop germs from growing. I'm curious how many weeks that alcohol stays useful once it's inside the container. Around a month, or closer to two?

NorthWillow72archive22h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42

While having a meal on my own, any bit that drops doesn't concern me under the quick retrieval idea, yet when fixing dishes for family or friends I always discard whatever lands on the floor. Folks in this group favor lowering overall risks, and the habit clearly shows poor cleanliness standards, though people remain free to accept personal chances without broadcasting them widely. Useful material exists on measuring how that preservative strength influences microbe growth, covering what halts or destroys bacteria, why that exact percentage matters, what occurs with weaker levels, and the point where caution becomes necessary.

BlueFenwick48archive22h

At the moment I'm going through fifteen each week, and this will rise when I increase the amount in my collection before long. This fifteen combines both slip and lock varieties along with ones that have needles attached, resulting in fifteen per week along with twenty one needles weekly. I purchased far too many of the various syringe types and needles, leaving me with a huge pile, several hundred. I'd like to move to using pens instead, yet I have to deplete my current inventory beforehand.

KeenThistle22archive21h

Right now 5 pins in the morning and 2 pins at night. Also 1 extra per week. But in the next few days I will add daily some more.

WarmLantern16archive21h

Daily usage involves a couple devices plus one more every seven days. That total stays modest yet I feel pleased about changing over. The needles prove inexpensive while also feeling more agreeable when handling them.

NorthFenwick56archive20h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42 (opening post)

Man right now I'm on a whole stack of peptides including the ghkcu version with ss31 kpv bpc and cartalax plus 5amino motc aod9604 epithalon dsip along with nad and reta on alternate days. That adds up to roughly a dozen shots most days or ten if I skip mixing one vial. Leaves me with plenty of used needles showing blood. I follow what you mean and I test my glucose levels every few days. What really stands out is adding up the yearly total spent on everything here maybe I'll open a fresh discussion about it soon. I'll reach out privately tomorrow. I get my injection tools from an online spot and the total grows fast when you count them all. You ought to see the stacks of containers I drop off for disposal. Thinking about tossing in a couple extras too this routine becomes hard to quit I gotta say. Probably ought to look for some support circle or one focused on the shots.

IronCinder77archive17h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42

At the moment I'm only going through a single injection tip weekly for my main item along with the monthly total needed for mixing. Before long I'll start using an extra one each week for the second item plus one every day for each of two more substances. It's minimal at this point but that total is about to rise.

PlainAlder11archive16h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42 (opening post)

I wonder whether the points lose their edge after repeated use. Three fresh ones get swapped in every week. Whenever a second puncture into the rubber becomes necessary the whole thing gets tossed into the biohazard bin right away. A few of those seals are tough enough to ruin the tip fast.

SteadySparrow75archive16h

These days I end up sticking myself at least six times every day, and seven when it's time for the GLP shot. Since adding sema that's dropped to three times each week. Before that I was doing even more until I began putting two or three different peptides together in one syringe. What bothers me most at the moment is forcing the needle through this dense, vinyl-style skin on my abdomen, which others connect to my ongoing daily GHK-Cu injections for over four months. A swift dart doesn't work anymore because it meets resistance and needs to burst through, and that's kind of alarming. 😳

SteadySparrow75archive16h
↳ replying to @PlainAlder11

Yeah... Those sealed containers I draw the solution into for each mixing step feature a flat cap... unlike the angled plug that arrives on the starting bottles the substances come packaged in.... Now and then the pin just crumples when I push it through.... 😳

PlainAlder11archive15h
↳ replying to @SteadySparrow75

Up until now the ones I've used have all worked fine for me. You might have missed what I wrote earlier regarding administering the medication to my spouse the day before but the needle was difficult to insert and she mentioned it was painful. Maybe it was a defective needle or perhaps I made a mistake during the process. That made me feel guilty. This has occurred with me in the past as well.

SharpHarbour71archive15h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42 (opening post)

For roughly two years I've followed this exact process without sterilizing syringes or performing that air injection step and I've encountered zero problems regarding contamination or harm to the compounds.

SteadySparrow75archive15h

Anyone injecting those compounds each day would end up with that kind of appearance too. Time to grab some for myself.

NorthPebble63archive15h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42

I'll keep going for however many rounds come up. These days though I'm strictly on a twice monthly glp schedule.

WarmMeadow92archive14h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42

The heading might suggest something else, yet the actual text seeks views on employing one needle and plunger repeatedly throughout the day across various peptides. It isn't merely inquiring about the quantity of plungers individuals employ.

RustTimber42archive14h

A single small syringe every 5 days, and on recon I will use a larger syringe for BAC and a small syringe for venting. I'm only using one compound, so my 100 syringe box is going to be an heirloom.

IronKettle95archive14h

Reading through this discussion reminded me of someone with diabetes I've known for a long time. Over four decades I've watched them give shots many times but never once did they use one of those swabs to clean the skin. It wasn't something I considered before now. Probably should find out the reason from them.

SharpHarbour71archive14h
↳ replying to @IronKettle95

Lots of folks here get shocked when the original poster reuses needles and syringes but from what I can tell their worries stay mostly in the realm of ideas. I have yet to meet anyone who ended up hurt by doing the same thing. My sister works as a nurse and has lived with type 1 diabetes for thirty five years. Back when vials and shots were the norm she skipped wiping the top with alcohol and would stick the needle straight through her pants even when they were filthy. She also kept using the same equipment multiple times. She used to joke that body fat just catches whatever might be there. Sure on paper there could be some danger but in real life the chance of actual trouble seems tiny based on what I have seen.

WarmMeadow92archive13h
↳ replying to @SharpHarbour71

Everybody sees situations according to their own outlook and tolerance for risk. I'm extremely cautious, so with anything meant for one-time application I stick to that rule. Paper plates work as an illustration. I grab one, finish my meal on it, and toss it straight in the trash. The same applies to needles since they're inexpensive enough that wiping and storing them for another day never occurs to me. It's simply the way I operate. Someone could probably avoid illness by doing the opposite, yet it still feels unclean.

SteadySparrow75archive13h
↳ replying to @WarmMeadow92

Only today did I learn something like that could even happen at all.... 😳 😳

NorthWillow72archive13h
↳ replying to @SharpHarbour71

I've spent four decades behind the wheel, usually skipping the belt. This isn't me pushing others to do the same, though I do like how kids these days treat it as normal. Folks could argue forever about whether it's actually secure, but what I think is that showing the right method and letting individuals choose their own health tradeoffs works better.

CopperTimber28archive13h

My dad was T2D and he would reuse a needle and inject right through his tshirt!

SteadyBeacon32archive13h

Even when switching containers I always grab a fresh needle instead of reusing the old one. That means sticking myself in nearly the same area twice over. Cutting expenses doesn't seem worth the possible downside from my perspective. I'm not criticizing others since I know many handle the situation differently. I went through an uncommon infection a while ago so I'm reluctant to count on my defenses every time 🙂

GreyAlder96archive13h

It's amazing how people go from sterilizing every single thing to just using the same needle over and over. Honestly, sticking yourself again with that for under the skin shots might be less dirty than most scrapes you get. Forget the danger part, that tip has to be so blunt after a while. There's really a big contrast between a fresh one from the pen and one that's already poked through the top of the bottle.

IronKettle95archive12h

Our pet suffered from diabetes and needed insulin shots one or two times every day across eight years. Even with other problems he made it to sixteen. We always used a new needle each time. 😉 🙂

↳ replying to @WarmMeadow92

Something feels off about this situation. I cannot tell if it is genuine or just meant to draw people in. With more than twenty years around those dealing with diabetes, the amount of repeated needle use and the low rate of real problems would surprise anyone. I am not suggesting anyone try it, but what I have noticed has left me wondering why complications do not show up more often.

LevelTimber64archive11h
↳ replying to @SteadyMeadow42 (opening post)

I wouldn't go ahead with that because my physical state and safety hold far greater importance than the low price of a needle.

WarmMeadow92archive11h
↳ replying to @PatientHarbour28

I've heard that people managing diabetes sometimes repeat shots in one particular area to make the discomfort fade faster over time. That habit might create extra resistance there to soreness or other issues, turning the spot into something unusually tough. Since our systems adapt so well, comparing the whole thing to a game of chance was probably pushing it too far, ha. Even so, I can't grasp the point of holding back on a fresh needle every single time. For me, anything labeled disposable stays that way.

I used to clash with my father constantly over those throwaway party cups. In my eyes they belong to one occasion or at most one evening based on the drink inside. He'd hang on to them for long stretches, washing and bringing them back out again. I once checked with an AI and it claimed they work fine for reuse, which made me laugh hard. I've given up arguing the topic with him. Still, I skip using any of those cups whenever I'm over at his place.

WarmCompass44archive11h

At first I figured someone was kidding around with that idea, but apparently not. Reusing the same one by pumping air in repeatedly followed by an alcohol cleaning seems like it takes extra effort compared to just popping the seal on a fresh one. Is the goal here to cut down on expenses? Wow, that situation sounds tough. In my case I go through as many as 38 within seven days, which averages around 5.4 daily during periods when everything syncs up perfectly. Normally though it's two each day plus two on alternating days.

LevelTimber64archive11h
↳ replying to @WarmMeadow92

I once felt so strongly about red one-time cups that I would defend them fiercely.

AmberCinder18archive9h

I think the discussion title needs changing to something like whether reusing filthy syringes is acceptable. That would describe the starter's actual idea much more precisely.

IronFenwick84archive9h

People who share your view might keep shooting dirty needles for ages without any real trouble, yet the moment someone ends up in the hospital from it the news outlets will exaggerate everything and treat shady peptides like an everyday lethal risk. That's my stance.

BlueAlder28archive9h

I always grab three separate needles for mixing, straining, and releasing air into a new vial for each type of peptide. I went so far as to purchase a sterilizer and proper pouches to keep the vials clean. However, after loading the pen, I stick with that same needle on it until it starts hurting or I switch to a fresh cartridge. This habit began during a long stay in an isolated spot where I ran out of equipment and had to improvise. It got confirmed after chatting with a long-time nurse who mentioned that diabetics rarely swap needles for each shot. Everyone should just stick to what feels right to them and laugh at others who seem incorrect.

IronFenwick84archive9h

Hey there. Every week I go through one syringe with my Tirz while my other stuff takes four fresh needle tips each day. That comes to twenty one needles total across seven days. They all stay clean and I toss them right after the first use. Reusing any of them feels wrong to me.

WarmPebble45archive3h
↳ replying to @WarmMeadow92

For mixing the solution I keep the same needle in service until the initial shot after preparation. Roughly ten get used by me over seven days though the total shifts around some.

LevelAlder29archive2h

I go through roughly five or six needles daily plus one syringe weekly for the vial product while finishing my compounded batch. I'm replying without checking the other comments first so pardon any overlap but I'm curious about the reuse of syringes. Cutting down on discards and skipping extra syringes each day might make pens appealing since they take little time to pick up and speed things up with several injections. On the expense side a larger lock syringe with a fresh needle each time could limit germ transfer yet still risks the solutions especially when forcing air into the bottles. Health seems worth more than a couple dollars daily and keeping those compounds stable matters given the effort put into obtaining them.

LevelAlder29archive2h
↳ replying to @SharpHarbour71

I respect letting folks make their own choices, yet a cat scratch once left me dealing with an infection, which explains the value of tetanus vaccinations. Germs can enter whenever skin gets pierced, and the outer layers plus fat tissue do not screen out all contaminants. Feel free to stick with whatever methods suit your comfort level since you're grown, though I myself would skip taking my sibling's suggestion because it lacks scientific backing.

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