Injection guide on TransHub

Subcutaneous injections

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Warning

**NEVER REUSE OR SHARE A SYRINGE OR A NEEDLE. If you need them and cannot afford them, you can visit a needle exchange program, or contact us.**

Subcutaneous injection

A subcutaneous injection delivers the medicine into the layer of fat, between the skin and the muscle tissue. Absorption is slower than with IM, since vascularization of fatty tissues is limited. It is performed at a 45° to 80° angle. Needles are typically 25-30G and ½-⅝ inch long.

Intramuscular injections

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Warning

**NEVER REUSE OR SHARE A SYRINGE OR A NEEDLE. If you need them and cannot afford them, you can visit a needle exchange program, or contact us.**

Intramuscular injection

An intramuscular injection delivers medication deep into the muscle tissue. Being highly vascularized, the medication is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.

IM are given at a 90° angle - that is, straight through the skin and fat layer, into the muscle. Needles are typically 20-23G, and 1-1.5 inch long. Take into consideration the layer of fat - if you are a bigger person, and depending on the site of injection, you might need to take a slightly longer needle.

Vial coring and disposal of sharps

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Vial coring and contamination

Vial coring is when a small piece of a vial’s rubber cap breaks off and gets into the vial itself and/or the fluid inside. This is generally caused by repeated insertion of needles through the vial cap. There is not much clear evidence about the risks of vial coring but potential issues include the possibility of drawing up and injecting small pieces of rubber. This is not necessarily dangerous but probably best avoided.