When you donate blood the needle goes into a large, visible vein in your arm or hand but when getting a shot the needle just goes somewhere in your arm.
In: Biology
There are four ways medication enters the body through injection.
Intravenously (IV). This is in a vein, usually through a temporarily place access point like and peripheral line or PICC line. Its benefits are rapid absorption because the medications don’t pass the liver from the stomach. This also limits what medications can be given because some need to pass the liver to not be toxic. You can give continuous infusions or just one push slownor fast.
Intramuscular (IM). This is a rapid injection of a small amount of medication into a large muscle like the deltoid, or ventralglutral (butt) muscle. The benefits are similar to IV, the medication does not pass the liver first so it is quicker onset. The limit here is volume of medication, generally less than 3 ml and some medications are toxic to the muscle tissue and can’t be used.
Subcutaneous (SubQ). This is in the fat with a much smaller needle. This is a bit slower than IV or IM but is good for medications that need a more steady absorption, like insulin. Also needs to be a small amount, usually less than 1 ml.
Subdermal. This is below the skin between skin and muscle or fat. Think the TB test or lidocaine. Takes a while to absorbs nd usually reserved for things that stay local and don’t get used by the whole body.
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