At what angle is a subcutaneous injection usually administered?

A subcutaneous injection is typically administered at a 45-degree angle. This angle is optimal for ensuring that the medication is delivered into the subcutaneous tissue, which is the layer of fat and connective tissue located just beneath the dermis of the skin. By using this angle, the injector can avoid hitting muscle tissue, which lies deeper than the subcutaneous layer, while still ensuring that the medication is absorbed effectively from the subcutaneous tissue into the bloodstream.

When administering a subcutaneous injection, the choice of angle is crucial for the comfort of the patient and the efficacy of the medication. A 90-degree angle, for instance, is more commonly used for intramuscular injections, where the needle is inserted directly into the muscle, and using this angle for a subcutaneous injection may lead to improper administration or discomfort. Similarly, lower angles like 30 degrees are generally less effective for this route of administration as they may not penetrate the skin adequately to reach the subcutaneous tissue. Therefore, the 45-degree angle is recognized as the standard practice for subcutaneous injections.