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[edit | edit source]
The procedure for a subcutaneous injection usually involves the following steps:
- The area for the injection is cleaned with an antiseptic to prevent infection.
- The needle is inserted at a 45 to 90 degree angle to the skin.
- The medication is slowly injected into the subcutaneous tissue.
- The needle is removed and the injection site is covered with a bandage if necessary.
Uses[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
The advantages of subcutaneous injections include:
- They can be self-administered.
- They allow for a slow, sustained release of medication.
- They are less painful than intramuscular injections.
Disadvantages[edit | edit source]
The disadvantages of subcutaneous injections include:
- They can only be used for small amounts of medication.
- They can cause irritation or infection at the injection site.
- They can cause lumps or bumps under the skin if not done correctly.
See also[edit | edit source]
Subcutaneous injection Resources | ||
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