A minimal pain microneedle based transdermal drug delivery device and method. The device has a clamshell configuration, where the top part of the clamshell holds one or more chambers configured to store liquid drugs, and also configured to store one or more spring operated plungers, and at least one microneedle. The top portion of the device is attached to the bottom portion of the device by a combination hinge and a moveable shutter mechanism. In its shut position, the shutter mechanism prevents the plungers from moving, and the open shutter position releases the plunger. When the user applies the bottom of the device to the users skin and presses on the top portion with enough force to overcome a detent mechanism, the top portion pivots against the bottom portion forcing the microneedle through an aperture and into the skin painlessly. Pressing on the shutter mechanism then results in drug self-administration.