Intramuscular medication is a way of administering medication – whether that be antibiotics, hormones or pain relief among others – directly into the muscle. The principal benefit of intramuscular medication is that it enters a person’s bloodstream more quickly.
An injection is used to administer intramuscular medication, often into the upper arm – a site where many of us have received vaccinations at some point – the buttock or the upper thigh. In all three of these locations, the muscles have a good blood supply, which sends the medication promptly and efficiently into the bloodstream where it can become effective quickly.
What are the advantages of this?
Aside from the quick circulation afforded to medicines administered in this way, the main benefit of intramuscular medication is that it is likely to reduce systemic side effects associated with taking medications orally, such as nausea. It may also be more suitable for people who are unable to swallow pills such as the elderly or very young.
It’s also convenient from a healthcare provider’s point of view since it’s a quick and easy way of administering medication such as flu vaccinations to large numbers of people. It’s also a very precise way of measuring doses, reducing the risk of incorrect or forgotten doses.
If you are a healthcare professional or looking after someone with medical needs in a personal caring capacity, you may feel more confident in administering intramuscular medication by attending clinical training courses run by training providers like https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/clinical-training-courses, as these will equip you with all the information you need on how to carry this out safely.
Are there any side effects?
As with any medication, there is a risk of side effects. The one most often associated with intramuscular medication is a small amount of bruising or pain at the site of the injection, according to the NHS.
In rare cases, people may experience an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis as a result of intramuscular medication. Always check to see if patients have any known allergies before administering any drug.
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