![This type of injection is used when other methods of administration might be less effective.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/subcutaneous-injection.jpg?output-quality=75)
Equipment used for subcutaneous injections includes:
Syringes: The needles are typically short, around 5/8-inch long and thin with usually a capacity of 1 mL and sometimes more for children and people with visual difficulties.
Auto-injector pen: Some medications such as epinephrine and insulin are available in the form of a “pen” with a multi-use vial, which is quick and easy to administer, making it beneficial during emergencies.
Medication
Before injection:
The individual or caregiver should first wash their hands thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Following this, all the supplies required should be gathered, such as the syringe or auto-injection pen, alcohol swabs, some cotton or gauze, and a band-aid.
The injection site should be disinfected using an alcohol swab. The injection site should not have any swelling, redness, bruising, hardness, change in the skin texture or color, irritation, pain, or dilated veins. If these abnormalities are present, an alternate injection site may be chosen. To prevent damage to an area as a result of repeated injections at the same site, it is advised to change the injection site often. The syringe should be loaded with medication. In the case of an auto-injection pen, this is not required every time, and the vial needs to be changed once it’s completely over. It’s advised to follow the dosage advised by the doctor accurately. A new needle is required for the syringe with every injection. The auto-injection pen can be reused by the person with the same needle. The needle may be disinfected using an alcohol-based disinfectant.
The most common sites to administer a subcutaneous injection include:
- Abdomen (at or under the level of the belly button, about 2 inches away from the navel)
- Thigh (front of the thigh or inner thighs)
- Arm (the back or side of the upper arm with sufficient subcutaneous fatty tissue)
During injection:
Once the appropriate site of injection is identified, the skin should be pinched between the thumb and index finger (around an inch and a half apart) and held in that position till the procedure is completed. This pulls the fatty tissue away from the underlying muscle, making the injection safer and easier. The needle should be held at an angle of 90° or at an angle of 45° if the person is thin with very little fat. This should be done quickly, without applying too much force. The entire medication loaded in the syringe with the prescribed dose should be slowly pushed into the pinched injected site. The pinched skin can be released as the needle is withdrawn. Mild pressure may be applied after the injection to prevent bleeding. There is usually no more than one to two drops of blood loss during a subcutaneous injection. There may be minimal swelling and bruising, which resolves on its own. Subcutaneous injections should not be administered in the same spot twice in a row to avoid complications. A subcutaneous injection is not very painful and feels like a quick pin prick or ant bite lasting a few seconds. It is advised to have a healthcare professional demonstrate how to administer the injection before one attempts to administer it themselves.
What are the complications of a subcutaneous injection?
Complications are rare, but some risks include:
- Tissue damage if the injection is done at the same site twice in a row
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Infection
- Change in the skin color
What medications can be given using a subcutaneous injection?
Medications injected by subcutaneous injection are usually medications that can be given in small volumes (up to 2 mL). Some common medications include:
- Insulin may be administered using the traditional insulin syringe or in the form of an automated injector, insulin pen
- Hormones for hormone therapy
- Fertility medication
- Epinephrine to treat allergic reactions. It comes in an automated injector form, called the EpiPen. It can also be given intramuscularly.
- Steroid medication such as dexamethasone to suppress inflammation
- Allergy shots
- Blood thinners
- Pain medications such as morphine
- Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications, such as metoclopramide
- Certain vaccinations
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000430.htm
Top How Is a Subcutaneous Injection Given? Related Articles
Causes of Infertility in a Woman
Infertility is a common problem in the United States, with about 10% of women aged 15-44 years facing difficulty in conceiving or bearing a child.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Complications Of Hypothyroidism: Fertility, Weight And More
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland becomes underactive.Diabetes Treatment: Medication, Diet, and Insulin
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with:
- insulin,
- exercise,
- and a diabetic diet.
Type 2 diabetes is first treated with:
- weight reduction,
- a diabetic diet,
- and exercise.
When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
Does Salpingectomy Affect Fertility?
The fallopian tubes (also known as uterine tubes) are a total of two in number, each located on either side of the uterus. Each fallopian tube is connected to the uterus by ligaments and its other end contains finger-like projections known as fimbriae, located near the ovary.Infertility Quiz
What is the medical definition of infertility? Take the Infertility Quiz to learn the risks and treatment of infertility. Our answers may surprise you!Infertility Treatment
Learn about fertility options such as IVF (in vitro fertilization), acupuncture, and natural lifestyle choices. Read about infertility in men and women as well as treatment costs and pregnancy success rates.Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. There are no signs or symptoms of insulin resistance. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.Ovulation & Fertility
Boost fertility and increase your chances to conceive. Learn about ovulation calendars, diet, aging and other factors that can affect pregnancy.Ovulation Calculator and Fertility Calendar
Ovulation calculators and calendars are tools that attempt to predict when women might ovulate. These tools are based on the typical length of their menstrual cycle and the expected window for ovulation. These tools will guide women when they are releasing an egg each month (also known as ovulation) and when are they most fertile for the best chances of getting pregnant.What Can Cause Infertility in a Woman?
Infertility affects approximately 10%-15% of reproductive-aged couples. Cause of infertility could be due to issues in one or both partners. In about one-third of infertile couples, the issue is with the male partner, whereas in a third of the couples, there is an issue with the women.