Know Your Dose: Understanding “Units”

Watch Dr. April Foster explain medication units and how to measure them on your syringe. Scroll below the video for key takeaways.

Key Takeaways

Double-check your prescription information

Make sure your name is correct and review the instructions carefully.

Know your dose is in units

Units are not the same as milligrams. Always follow the number of units listed on your prescription.

How to measure with the syringe

• 12.5 units = pull medication halfway between the 10 and 15 lines.
• 50 units = pull medication back to the 50 line.
• 37.5 units = pull medication halfway between the 35 and 40 lines.
• 100 units = the full syringe/vial.

Be mindful of concentration changes

Sometimes your refill may come from a different pharmacy. The medication strength in the vial may be stronger or weaker. This means your prescription might say a different number of units than before, even though it’s the same or a higher dose.

If you’re still unsure or have any questions, please reach out to our medical or support team—we’re here to help and keep you safe.