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Intramuscular Injection

tim2000s

tim2000s

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
8,936
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Given that fast acting insulins aren't really that fast, and that when applied subcutaneously (SC) can take a while to be absorbed through the skin layer, are there good reasons why one shouldn't inject a fast acting insulin directly into the muscle?

I can only see upside, in that it should be absorbed more quickly and result in faster initial response as well as earlier peak and drop off. Having done a bit of google searching, there seem to be a number of different studies with different results, where some of these show little difference to absorption rate between IM and SC and others which show a 50% quicker absorption rate for IM over SC.

In my experience, IM injection definitely kicks in more quickly (think 5-10 mins as opposed to 30 mins). Does anyone else do this?
 
When I was on MDI I used IM injections for large correction doses, to bring my BG down faster. However this is not a risk free technique and I am not sure I would recommend it.

For normal bolus use it is easier just to inject earlier. IM injections are much more likely to cause bruising and will blunt the needles. So definitely don't reuse a needle after IM injection. I used to keep a stock of longer 0.50 needles for IM injection and carry one or two with me.
 
I tend to find qa insulin takes more than 15 mins when injected subcutaneously. The libre has backed this up.
 
Having used both Novorapid and Humalog (at the same time), I get a faster onset time with Humalog. I used to use Novorapid for covering protein while low carbing, taking advantage of the slower onset time.
 
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