A compact and one time use, self-administration device (10) for administering medication is disclosed. The device includes a housing (12) having a start button (26), a status indicator (28), a window (30), and a surface removably attachable to a user. The device (10) has a cartridge holder (34) providing in an aseptic environment a cartridge (32) containing the medication. The cartridge (32) is viewable through the cartridge holder (34) and the window (30). An included drive unit (42) provides a movable plunger (126) that breaks through a sterile barrier (130) of the cartridge holder (34) to dispense the medication from the cartridge (32) to an hollow needle (38) for administering the medication into the user. The device (10) provides means (36, 44) for extending and retracting the hollow needle (38) and an electronic control unit (40) which controls the drive unit (42), the extending and retracting means (36, 44), and interfaces with the start button (26), the status indicator (28), and the body sensor (24) to automatically administer the medication.
