A subcutaneous injection or shot is one into the fatty tissues just beneath the skin. These injections are shallower than those injected into muscle tissues. Providers often use subcutaneous injections for medications that must be absorbed into the bloodstream slowly and steadily, such as insulin. Subcutaneous injections are usually safe and do not require as much force as intramuscular injections into the muscle tissues. Share on PinterestInsulin for diabetes requires a subcutaneous injection. Subcutaneous injection can be used to give many types of medications for various medical conditions. There are fewer blood vessels in the fatty layer of connective tissue just beneath the skin than the muscle tissue. Having fewer blood vessels means that medication injected subcutaneously is absorbed more slowly. This makes it an ideal way to administer medications that the body must use slowly over time, such as insulin for the treatment of diabetes. Medications given this way include: Many drugs that must be taken daily, or injected at home, are designed for subcutaneous injection. To give a subcutaneous injection, people should follow these steps:
The best location for a subcutaneous injection depends on a person’s pain sensitivity and where they have some subcutaneous fat. A few commonly chosen locations include:
Some subcutaneous injections come in the form of an auto-injector. An auto-injector is a self-contained device that does not require drawing the medication up first. People can follow the instructions on the package if they are using an auto-injector. The needle used for subcutaneous injection is usually small and short and causes minimal discomfort. The amount of pain a person feels depends on factors such as where they or another person administer the injection, their pain tolerance, and skin sensitivity. The pain also depends on the medication they are injecting, as it may cause stinging, burning, or aching during or following the injection. Subcutaneous injections tend to be less painful than intramuscular injections because the needles are smaller and do not have to push through as much tissue. Children and people who fear needles may still have issues with these injections that can cause anxiety. A few strategies can help with the pain and anxiety:
The most common complication of a subcutaneous injection is pain near the injection site for 1 to 2 days afterward. Pain near the injection site can happen when inserting the needle at the wrong angle, or when it moves slightly during the injection. Some medications can cause a bruise or irritation at the injection site. Other complications are much less frequent and include:
Injecting a blood vessel can cause serious complications in rare cases. However, the likelihood of hitting a blood vessel in the subcutaneous fat is extremely rare. More than likely, if there is blood, it is from slight bleeding after the injection. A subcutaneous injection is a minor and very safe medical procedure when done correctly. Mastering the technique of injecting at home can take some practice. People should ask for help from a medical provider and not shy away from asking questions about the benefits of treatment or how best to minimize pain.
Part 2 of this two-part series on injection techniques describes the evidence base and procedure for administering a subcutaneous injection Abstract The subcutaneous route allows drugs such as insulin and heparin to be absorbed slowly over a period of time. Using the correct injection technique and selecting the correct site will minimise the risk of complications. This is the second article in a two-part series on injection techniques. Part 1 covers the intramuscular route. Citation: Shepherd E (2018) Injection technique 2: administering drugs via the subcutaneous route. Nursing Times [online]; 114: 9, 55-57. Author: Eileen Shepherd is clinical editor at Nursing Times. Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here (if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser) Read part 1 of this series here This articles was updated 12th November 2021.
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*HINT The container can be a coffee can or leak-proof, closable milk jug. Find out the proper way to dispose of biological waste in your area. Preparing the InjectionYour doctor and/or clinic nurse will instruct you on preparing your particular dose of medication. Giving Yourself the InjectionSelect your injection site. This must be an area that has a layer of fat between the skin and the muscle. This is called subcutaneous. The following parts of your body have subcutaneous layers:
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