What angle is used for an Intramuscular (IM) injection?

The recommended angle for administering an Intramuscular (IM) injection is 90 degrees. This angle allows the needle to penetrate through the skin and subcutaneous tissue directly into the muscle. When delivering an IM injection, it’s crucial to ensure that the medication is deposited deep into the muscle tissue, where it can be absorbed effectively into the bloodstream. Injecting at this angle enhances the likelihood of accessing muscle fibers and minimizing the risk of injecting into fatty tissue or other non-muscle areas.

Other angles, such as 15 degrees or 45 degrees, are typically used for subcutaneous or intradermal injections, where the goal is different than that of an IM injection. A 75-degree angle is not a standard practice for either type of injection. Therefore, using a 90-degree angle for IM injections is essential for proper technique and ensuring effective medication delivery.