Intramuscular means delivered by injection into muscle tissue.
Intramuscular administration allows a medicine to be absorbed from muscle into the bloodstream. The speed and extent of absorption depend on the medicine, the injection site, blood flow, and other factors.
Intramuscular administration is one of several parenteral routes and may be used when oral administration is unsuitable or when a medicine has been specifically formulated for injection into muscle.
QUICK FACT
Intramuscular (IM) administration is a parenteral route, but not every parenteral medicine is given intramuscularly.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Intravenous — Intravenous (IV) administration delivers a medicine directly into a vein; intramuscular administration delivers it into muscle tissue.
SEE ALSO
- Parenteral
- Intravenous (IV)
- Route of administration
- Injectable