Subcutaneous injection

Subcutaneous injection is a method of administering medication. Subcutaneous means under the skin. In this method, a needle is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue layer, which is located between the skin and the muscle.

Procedure

The procedure for a subcutaneous injection usually involves the following steps:

1. The area for the injection is cleaned with an antiseptic to prevent infection.
2. The needle is inserted at a 45 to 90 degree angle to the skin.
3. The medication is slowly injected into the subcutaneous tissue.
4. The needle is removed and the injection site is covered with a bandage if necessary.

Uses

Subcutaneous injections are used when the medication needs to be absorbed slowly. They are commonly used for drugs such as insulin, morphine, diacetylmorphine and goserelin.

Advantages

The advantages of subcutaneous injections include:

1. They can be self-administered.
2. They allow for a slow, sustained release of medication.
3. They are less painful than intramuscular injections.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of subcutaneous injections include:

1. They can only be used for small amounts of medication.
2. They can cause irritation or infection at the injection site.
3. They can cause lumps or bumps under the skin if not done correctly.

See also

• Intramuscular injection
• Intravenous therapy
• Insulin pen

Subcutaneous injection Resources
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