Intramuscular (or IM) injection is the
injection of a substance directly into a
muscle. In
medicine, it is one of several alternative methods for the administration of
medications (see
Route of administration). It is used for particular forms of medication that are administered in small amounts. Depending on the chemical properties of the drug, the medication may either be absorbed fairly quickly or more gradually. Intramuscular injections are often given in the
deltoid,
vastus lateralis, ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal muscles.
When the gluteal muscles are used, injections should be made on the upper, outer quadrant of the buttock to avoid damaging the sciatic nerve. Injection fibrosis is a complication that may occur if the injections are delivered with great frequency or with improper technique.
Examples of medications that are sometimes administered intramuscularly are
In addition, some vaccines are administered intramuscularly
