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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Routes of Administration

Intramuscular

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/ˌɪntrəˈmʌskjələr/adjectiveCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, intramuscular means: Given by injection deep into a muscle, such as the upper arm, thigh or buttock, from where the medicine is absorbed into the blood.

In Turkish: kas içi, intramüsküler, IM

How it is used

Abbreviated IM, as in 'IM injection' or 'give IM'. Many vaccines and some antibiotics, hormones and long-acting antipsychotics (depot injections) are given this way. Absorption is usually faster than from subcutaneous tissue but slower than intravenous use.

Example sentences

  1. Most vaccines are given by intramuscular injection into the upper arm.

  2. In anaphylaxis, adrenaline is given intramuscularly into the outer thigh.

Common collocations

  • intramuscular injection
  • given intramuscularly
  • IM route
  • depot injection
  • injectionA way of giving a medicine with a needle and syringe or a pen device into a vein, a muscle or the tissue under the skin; also the liquid medicine itself.
  • subcutaneousGiven by injection into the fatty tissue just under the skin, from where the medicine is absorbed slowly into the blood.
  • intravenousGiven directly into a vein, either as a quick injection or as a slow infusion, so that the medicine reaches the bloodstream at once.
  • anaphylaxisA sudden, severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect breathing, blood pressure and the skin within minutes.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Routes of Administration

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.