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Intramuscular Treatment

Intramuscular treatment is administered by needle directly into muscles in the upper arm, top of the thigh or buttocks. This injection can be given by you, a nurse or doctor. If you have difficulty injecting yourself, consult your doctor. According to MedicineNet, needles can also be inserted into the skin (intradermal), beneath the skin (subcutaneous) and into a vein (intravenous). Intramuscular injections are deeper than subcutaneous injections. Intramuscular injections are outpatient treatments that do not require hospital stays or postoperative care.

  1. Treatment Effectiveness

    • Certain drugs absorb faster or slower when injected into the muscle. Intramuscular treatment is typically prescribed when the desired rate of absorption cannot be fulfilled by other treatment methods. Antibiotics, vaccines, contraceptives and epinephrine injections can be administered using intramuscular treatment.

    Complications

    • Intramuscular treatment can cause redness, soreness, rash or swelling at the injection site. Do not inject the medication if you believe you could be allergic to it. If you have a low platelet count or blood clotting problems, you could experience excessive bleeding. Consult your doctor if you have a fever or other allergic reaction, continued bleeding or excessive pain in the injection area.

    Procedure

    • Gather all necessary items prior to giving the injection---syringe, medication and cleaning supplies. Wash hands with warm, soapy water before choosing an injection site. Thoroughly cleanse the injection area with rubbing alcohol and wait a few minutes for it to dry. Remove the syringe cap. Pinch two- to three-inches of skin and insert the needle completely into the skin. Pull back the syringe plunger and check for blood at the injection site. If you see blood in the solution, pull out the needle and start again. If no blood is present, slowly press down on the syringe plunger to inject the medication. Cleanse the injection site again with alcohol and properly dispose of the syringe.

    Minimize Pain

    • Depending upon the medication, you may experience soreness in your muscle and at the injection site. To prevent soreness, make sure medication is at room temperature before injecting. Ensure the syringe is free from air bubbles prior to the injection. Relax the injection area muscles. Break through the skin quickly and refrain from moving the direction of needle when inserting and removing it from the injection area. Avoid reusing disposable needles.

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