just for more info....from a website on intramuscular injection
Reasons for Procedure
Some IM medications are “deposited” in the muscle and absorbed gradually over time. IM injections are also used to deliver medications that would otherwise be absorbed too slowly or made ineffective if taken by mouth. Examples of such medications include:
Certain antibiotics
Certain contraceptive hormones
Most vaccines
Epinephrine injections for people with severe allergic reactions
Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure
The only significant risk factor is having an allergy to the administered medication. Otherwise, no serious complications are expected.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Make sure you have all of the items you will need easily available: syringe, medicine, cleaning materials, etc.
Wash hands with warm, soapy water prior to giving the injection and dry with a clean towel.
Select a site and cleanse the area (about 2 inches) with a fresh alcohol pad or a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.
Wait for the site to dry.
During Procedure
Remove the needle cap.
Pinch a 2 or 3-inch fold of skin between your thumb and index finger.
Holding the syringe the way you would a pencil or dart, insert the needle at a 90 degree angle to the pinched-up skin (the needle should be completely covered by skin).
Hold the syringe with one hand. With the other, pull back the plunger to check for blood.
If you see blood in the solution in the syringe, do not inject. Withdraw the needle and start again at a new site.
If you do not see blood, slowly press down on the plunger until it stops.
Remove the needle from the skin and gently hold an alcohol pad on the injection site. Do not rub.
If there is bleeding at the site of injection, apply a bandage.
Immediately put the syringe and needle into the proper disposal container. Ideally, this should be a “sharps box” (which you can purchase from a pharmacy). However, you can also use a sealed coffee can or leakproof, closable milk jug, as long as it is a puncture-proof disposal container. You will need to find out what services are available in your area for the proper disposal of biological waste.
Will It Hurt?
Depending on the medication administered, there is usually some minimal discomfort at the injection site. Some degree of lingering soreness in the muscle is also common.