Injection types

Subcutaneous injection

Intramuscular injection

Intravenous injection

Intradermal injection
Spraying where?

Parenteral administration of drugs with a syringe
Spray: There are a lot of people who are a bit afraid when they see a needle. Often, however, an injection is essential to administer such drugs which are not to supposed to be metabolized by the stomach and intestines. This type of medication is known as parenteral medication, which means: not through the intestines.
Depending on where the drug will be injected, different types of injections can be distinguished:

1. intramuscular injection

2. subcutaneous injection

3. intravenous injection

4. intradermal injection
There are also other forms of injection, but which are very specific, like through an artery or a joint. This is called intra-arterial and intra-articular injection.



Subcutaneous injection

This has a slow distribution of drug. It is distributed slowly and evenly. This is a great advantage for certain drugs, such as insulin, which in diabetes, should be reduced uniformly as much as possible.




On the lower abdomen and thigh, the skin is quite thick. Normally only small amounts are injected subcutaneously. Frequently, the area of ??the thigh or abdomen is chosen, because under skin, it is quite thick. Subcutaneous injection is frequently used for vaccination.



Intramuscular injection

Muscle fibers are well supplied with blood. If during an injection, the drug is injected directly into the muscle, it is called an intra-muscular injection. Muscle fibers are supplied with blood very well. For this reason, a drug for intramuscular injection is absorbed faster than with a subcutaneous injection.



Errors should be avoided with a safe technique. Intramuscular injection should be carried out safely and efficiently. In case of wrong technique, it can fail and damage the body. It is important that the drug is not accidentally injected into the blood stream. The reason is that the lower skin is very sensitive and the drugs which are injected into the muscle, cannot tolerate it.
Intramuscular injection is usually injected in the ass. With an incorrect injection technique, the sciatic nerve can be damaged.



Intravenous injection

The effect is often immediate. If a drug is injected directly into a vein, the effect is often observed after a few seconds. An intravenous injection immediately causes a high drug level in the blood immediately, but it also decreases quickly. The injection is direct into a vein and may be carried out by a doctor. This is due to the special hazards that may be associated with such an injection. The intravenous injection is part of the daily routine in medical practice.



Intradermal injection

Allergy tests go "under the skin". The intradermal injection should be carried out by a doctor. In this case a drug is injected directly into the skin. This forms a clearly visible round protrusion of the epidermis, which is called a "wheal". Intradermal injection is often performed in allergy tests.