Intramuscular injection

Intramuscular injection, often abbreviated IM, is the injection of a substance into a muscle. In medicine, it is one of several methods for parenteral administration of medications. Intramuscular injection may be preferred because muscles have larger and more numerous blood vessels than subcutaneous tissue, leading to faster absorption than subcutaneous or intradermal injections. Medication administered via intramuscular injection is not subject to the first-pass metabolism effect which affects oral medications.

Intramuscular injection
A healthcare worker preparing to administer a vaccine via intramuscular injection
ICD-10-PCS3E023
ICD-9-CM99.1
MeSHD007273
CPT96372

Common sites for intramuscular injections include the deltoid muscle of the upper arm and the gluteal muscle of the buttock. In infants, the vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh is commonly used. The injection site must be cleaned before administering the injection, and the injection is then administered in a fast, darting motion to decrease the discomfort to the individual. The volume to be injected in the muscle is usually limited to 2–5 milliliters, depending on injection site. A site with signs of infection or muscle atrophy should not be chosen. Intramuscular injections should not be used in people with myopathies or those with trouble clotting.

Intramuscular injections commonly result in pain, redness, and swelling or inflammation around the injection site. These side effects are generally mild and last no more than a few days at most. Rarely, nerves or blood vessels around the injection site can be damaged, resulting in severe pain or paralysis. If proper technique is not followed, intramuscular injections can result in localized infections such as abscesses and gangrene. While historically aspiration, or pulling back on the syringe before injection, was recommended to prevent inadvertent administration into a vein, it is no longer recommended for most injection sites by some countries.

Uses

Intramuscular injection is commonly used for medication administration. Medication administered in the muscle is generally quickly absorbed in the bloodstream, and avoids the first pass metabolism which occurs with oral administration.[1] The medication may not be considered 100% bioavailable as it must still be absorbed from the muscle, which occurs over time.[2]: 102–103  An intramuscular injection is less invasive than an intravenous injection and also generally takes less time, as the site of injection (a muscle versus a vein) is much larger. Medications administered in the muscle may also be administered as depot injections, which provide slow, continuous release of medicine over a longer period of time.[3] Certain substances, including ketamine, may be injected intramuscularly for recreational purposes.[4] Disadvantages of intramuscular administration include skill and technique required, pain from injection, anxiety or fear (especially in children), and difficulty in self-administration which limits its use in outpatient medicine.[5]

Vaccines, especially inactivated vaccines, are commonly administered via intramuscular injection.[6] However, it has been estimated that for every vaccine injected intramuscularly, 20 injections are given to administer drugs or other therapy.[6] This can include medications such as antibiotics, immunoglobulin, and hormones such as testosterone and medroxyprogesterone.[5] In a case of severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, a person may use an epinephrine autoinjector to self-administer epinephrine into the muscle.[7]

Contraindications

Because an intramuscular injection can be used to administer many types of medications, specific contraindications depend in large part on the medication being administered.[8] Injections of medications are necessarily more invasive than other forms of administration such as by mouth or topical and require training to perform appropriately, without which complications can arise regardless of the medication being administered. For this reason, unless there are desired differences in rate of absorption, time to onset, or other pharmacokinetic parameters in the specific situation, a less invasive form of drug administration (usually by mouth) is preferred.[8]

Intramuscular injections are generally avoided in people with low platelet count or clotting problems, to prevent harm due to potential damage to blood vessels during the injection. They are also not recommended in people who are in hypovolemic shock, or have myopathy or muscle atrophy, as these conditions may alter the absorption of the medication.[5] The damage to the muscle caused by an intramuscular injections may interfere with the accuracy of certain cardiac tests for people with suspected myocardial infarction and for this reason other methods of administration are preferred in such instances.[5] In people with an active myocardial infarction, the decrease in circulation may result in slower absorption from an IM injection.[9]: 368–369  Specific sites of administration may also be contraindicated if the desired injection site has an infection, swelling, or inflammation.[9]: 368–369  Within a specific site of administration, the injection should not be given directly over irritation or redness, birthmarks or moles, or areas with scar tissue.[9]: 368–369 

Risks and complications
Using safety needles that prevent more than one use and accidental injections ensures sterility and prevents needlestick injuries.

As an injection necessitates piercing the skin, there is a risk of infection from bacteria or other organisms present in the environment or on the skin before the injection. This risk is minimized by using proper aseptic technique in preparing the injection and sanitizing the injection site before administration.[9]: 369  Intramuscular injections may also cause an abscess or gangrene at the injection site, depending on the specific medication and amount administered. There is also a risk of nerve or vascular injury if a nerve or blood vessel is inadvertently hit during injection. If single-use or sterilized equipment is not used, there is the risk of transmission of infectious disease between users, or to a practitioner who inadvertently injures themselves with a used needle, termed a needlestick injury.[5][9]: 372 

Site-specific complications

Injections into the deltoid site in the arm can result in unintentional damage to the radial and axillary nerves. In rare cases when not performed properly, the injection may result in shoulder dysfunction.[10] The most frequent complications of a deltoid injection include pain, redness, and inflammation around the injection site, which are almost always mild and last only a few days at most.[11]

The dorsogluteal site of injection is associated with a higher risk of skin and tissue trauma, muscle fibrosis or contracture, hematoma, nerve palsy, paralysis, and infections such as abscesses and gangrene.[12] Furthermore, injection in the gluteal muscle poses a risk for damage to the sciatic nerve, which may cause shooting pain or a sensation of burning. Sciatic nerve damage can also affect a person's ability to move their foot on the affected side, and other parts of the body controlled by the nerve. Damage to the sciatic nerve can be prevented by using the ventrogluteal site instead, and by selecting an appropriate size and length of needle for the injection.[13]

Technique
An intramuscular injection is performed perpendicular to the skin, close to a 90 degree angle.
Comparison of angle of intramuscular injection with other injection types

An intramuscular injection can be administered in multiple different muscles of the body. Common sites for intramuscular injection include: deltoid, dorsogluteal, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and ventrogluteal muscles.[12][14] Sites that are bruised, tender, red, swollen, inflamed or scarred are generally avoided.[15] The specific medication and amount being administered will influence the decision of the specific muscle chosen for injection.

The injection site is first cleaned using an antimicrobial and allowed to dry. The injection is performed in a quick, darting motion perpendicular to the skin, at an angle between 72 and 90 degrees. The practitioner will stabilize the needle with one hand while using their other hand to depress the plunger to slowly inject the medication – a rapid injection causes more discomfort. The needle is withdrawn at the same angle inserted. Gentle pressure may be applied with gauze if bleeding occurs.[16] Pressure or gentle massage of the muscle following injection may reduce the risk of pain.[17]

Aspiration

Aspirating for blood to rule out injecting into a blood vessel is not recommended by the US CDC, Public Health Agency of Canada, or Norway Institute of Public Health, as the injection sites do not contain large blood vessels and aspiration results in greater pain.[18][19][20] There is no evidence that aspiration is useful to increase safety of intramuscular injections when injecting in a site other than the dorsogluteal site.[6]

Aspiration was recommended by the Danish Health Authority for COVID-19 vaccines for a time to investigate the potential rare risk of blot clotting and bleeding, but it is no longer a recommendation.[21][22]

Z-track method

The Z-track method is a method of administering an IM injection that prevents the medication being tracked through the subcutaneous tissue, sealing the medication in the muscle, and minimizing irritation from the medication. Using the Z-track technique, the skin is pulled laterally, away from the injection site, before the injection; then the medication is injected, the needle is withdrawn, and the skin is released. This method can be used if the overlying tissue can be displaced.[23]

Injection sites

The deltoid muscle in the outer portion of the upper arm is used for injections of small volume, usually equal to or less than 2 mL. This includes most intramuscular vaccinations.[12] It is not recommended to use the deltoid for repeated injections due to its small area, which makes it difficult to space out injections from each other.[12] The deltoid site is located by locating the lower edge of the acromion process, and injecting in the area which forms an upside down triangle with its base at the acromion process and its midpoint in line with the armpit.[15] An injection into the deltoid muscle is commonly administered using a 1-inch long needle, but may use a 5⁄8-inch long needle for younger people or very frail elderly people.[11]

The ventrogluteal site on the hip is used for injections which require a larger volume to be administered, greater than 1 mL, and for medications which are known to be irritating, viscous, or oily. It is also used to administer narcotic medications, antibiotics, sedatives and anti-emetics.[12] The ventrogluteal site is located in a triangle formed by the anterior superior iliac spine and the iliac crest, and may be located using a hand as a guide.[15] The ventrogluteal site is less painful for injection than other sites such as the deltoid site.[17]

The vastus lateralis site is used for infants less than 7 months old and people who are unable to walk or who have loss of muscular tone.[12] The site is located by dividing the front thigh into thirds vertically and horizontally to form nine squares; the injection is administered in the outer middle square.[15] This site is also the usual site of administration for epinephrine autoinjectors, which are used in the outer thigh, corresponding to the location of the vastus lateralis muscle.[24]

The dorsogluteal site of the buttock site is not routinely used due to its location near major blood vessels and nerves, as well as having inconsistent depth of adipose tissue.[25] Many injections in this site do not penetrate deep enough under the skin to be correctly administered in the muscle.[12][26] While current evidence-based practice recommends against using this site, many healthcare providers still use this site, often due to a lack of knowledge about alternative sites for injection.[27] This site is located by dividing the buttock into four using a cross shape, and administering the injection in the upper outer quadrant. This is the only intramuscular injection site for which aspiration is recommended of the syringe before injection, due to higher likelihood of accidental intravenous administration in this area.[12] However, aspiration is not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which considers it outdated for any intramuscular injection.[16]

Sites for administration of intramuscular injections
Deltoid site
Diagram showing the deltoid site for intramuscular injection
Ventrogluteal site
Ventrogluteal and rectus femoris sites for intramuscular injection
Vastus lateralis site in adult
Vastus lateralis site of administration in an adult
Vastus lateralis site in child
Vastus lateralis site of administration in an infant or young child

Special populations

Some populations require a different injection site, needle length, or technique. In very young or weak elderly patients, a normal-length needle may be too long to inject properly. In these patients, a shorter needle is indicated to avoid injecting too deeply.[28] It is also recommended to consider using the anterolateral thigh as an injection site in infants under one year old.[28]

To help infants and children cooperate with injection administration, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in the United States recommends using distractions, giving something sweet, and rocking the baby side to side. In people who are overweight, a 1.5-inch needle may be used to ensure the injection is given below the subcutaneous layer of skin, while a 5⁄8-inch needle may be used for people who weigh under 60 kilograms (130 lb). In any case, the skin does not need to be pinched up before injecting when the appropriate length needle is used.[29]

History

Injections into muscular tissue may have taken place as early as the year 500 AD. Beginning in the late 1800s, the procedure began to be described in more detail and techniques began to be developed by physicians. In the early days of intramuscular injections, the procedure was performed almost exclusively by physicians.[8] After the introduction of antibiotics in the middle of the 20th century, nurses began preparing equipment for intramuscular injections as part of their delegated duties from physicians, and by 1961 they had "essentially taken over the procedure".[8] Until this delegation became virtually universal, there were no uniform procedures or education for nurses in proper administration of intramuscular injections, and complications from improper injection were common.[8]

Intramuscular injections began to be used for administration of vaccines for diphtheria in 1923, whooping cough in 1926, and tetanus in 1927.[30] By the 1970s, researchers and instructors began forming guidance on injection site and technique to reduce the risk of injection complications and side effects such as pain.[8] Also in the early 1970s, botulinum toxin began to be injected into muscles to intentionally paralyze them for therapeutic reasons, and later for cosmetic reasons.[31] Until the 2000s, aspiration after inserting the needle was recommended as a safety measure, to ensure the injection was being administered in a muscle and not inadvertently in a vein. However, this is no longer recommended as evidence shows no safety benefit and it lengthens the time taken for injection, which causes more pain.[29]

Veterinary medicine

In animals common sites for intramuscular injection include the quadriceps, the lumbodorsal muscles, and the triceps muscle.[32]

See also

References
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  2. Spruill W, Wade W, DiPiro JT, Blouin RA, Pruemer JM (5 March 2014). Concepts in clinical pharmacokinetics (Sixth ed.). Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ISBN 978-1-58528-387-3.
  3. Wright JC, Burgess DJ (29 January 2012). Long acting injections and implants. Springer. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-4614-0554-2.
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  5. Polania Gutierrez JJ, Munakomi S (January 2020). "Intramuscular Injection". StatPearls [Internet]. PMID 32310581.
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  7. Mylan Specialty L.P. "EPIPEN®- epinephrine injection, EPIPEN Jr®- epinephrine injection" (PDF). FDA Product Label. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  8. Nicoll LH, Hesby A (August 2002). "Intramuscular injection: An integrative research review and guideline for evidence-based practice". Applied Nursing Research. 15 (3): 149–162. doi:10.1053/apnr.2002.34142. PMID 12173166.
  9. Eckman M, ed. (October 9, 2015). Lippincott Nursing Procedures (Seventh ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-1-4698-5303-1.
  10. Cook IF (4 May 2015). "Best vaccination practice and medically attended injection site events following deltoid intramuscular injection". Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 11 (5): 1184–1191. doi:10.1080/21645515.2015.1017694. PMC 4514326. PMID 25868476.
  11. Martín Arias L, Sanz Fadrique R, Sáinz Gil M, Salgueiro-Vazquez M (September 2017). "Risk of bursitis and other injuries and dysfunctions of the shoulder following vaccinations". Vaccine. 35 (37): 4870–4876. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.055. PMID 28774564.
  12. The Joanna Briggs Institute. Recommended Practice. Injection: Intramuscular. The Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, from the JBI@Ovid database, published 2019; JBI2138. Accessed on 12 September 2020.
  13. Jung Kim H, Hyun Park S (August 2014). "Sciatic nerve injection injury". Journal of International Medical Research. 42 (4): 887–897. doi:10.1177/0300060514531924. PMID 24920643.
  14. Bolger, Gordon T. (2018-01-01), "Routes of Drug Administration", Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11099-2, ISBN 978-0-12-801238-3, retrieved 2020-11-25
  15. Taylor C (2011). Fundamentals of nursing: the art and science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-9383-4.
  16. Lynn P, Taylor C (2019). Lippincott photo atlas of medication administration (Sixth ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-1-9751-2136-5.
  17. Şanlialp Zeyrek A, Takmak Ş, Kurban NK, Arslan S (December 2019). "Systematic review and meta‐analysis: Physical‐procedural interventions used to reduce pain during intramuscular injections in adults". Journal of Advanced Nursing. 75 (12): 3346–3361. doi:10.1111/jan.14183. PMID 31452229. S2CID 201786789.
  18. JoEllen Wolicki; Elaine Miller (25 September 2019). "Vaccine Administration". The Pinkbook. CDC. Retrieved 12 September 2020. Aspiration is not recommended before administering a vaccine.
  19. "Vaccine administration practices: Canadian Immunization Guide". Public Health Agency of Canada. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2021-05-25. Aspiration before injection of vaccine is not recommended, as there are no large blood vessels at the recommended immunization sites and not aspirating before injection has been demonstrated to reduce pain.
  20. "Praktisk info om vaksinasjon". Folkehelseinstituttet (in Norwegian). 9 April 2008. Retrieved 2021-05-25. However, it is not recommended to aspirate before intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccine injection provided that the vaccine is placed in the appropriate place … does not involve the risk of injecting intravenously because there are no large blood vessels in these sites. Aspiration can cause the vaccination to be more painful because it takes longer to give the vaccine
  21. "Covid-19 vacciner skal gives med aspiration før injektion". Politik og nyheder, DSR (in Danish). 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2021-05-25. The Danish Health and Medicines Authority's guidelines have long recommended this, and now the Statens Serum Institut is following suit.
  22. name. "Intramuskulær injektion på børn og voksne". Statens Serum Institut (in Danish). Retrieved 2023-10-04. It has previously been recommended to aspirate before injection with Covid-19 vaccines in relation to investigation of a possible connection between injection with Vaxzevria® and the occurrence of rare and serious side effects. However, this is no longer a recommendation and Covid-19 vaccines can be injected without prior aspiration.
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  31. Monheit GD, Pickett A (1 May 2017). "AbobotulinumtoxinA: A 25-Year History". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 37 (suppl_1): S4–S11. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw284. PMC 5434488. PMID 28388718.
  32. "SOP: Injections in Dogs and Cats" (PDF). Virginia Tech. Dec 12, 2017.
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