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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Clinical Skills Centre > Clinical Skills Resources

Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injection Technique

Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Routes

Table showing differences between Intramuscular and subcutaneous routes
IntramuscularSubcutaneous
Faster absorption rate Slower absorption rate (1-2mls/ hour)
Rapid drug action 
Muscle can accept larger volumes than subcutaneous tissueMax volume - 2ml
Max volume - 2ml Adult Deltiod, 4ml Adult leg and buttocks.CAUTION: Absorption rates differ between subcutaneous sites. This may have implications for insulin therapy.
Danger of tissue damage is reduced  

Diagram showing the injection depth of both intramuscular and subcataneous injections