Injection needles are used to deliver drugs through a syringe and come in different sizes depending on the type of injection. Needles can be disposable and must be disposed of properly to prevent injury. Some patients use them for self-administration of medication.
An injection needle is the part of a syringe used to pierce the skin. It is hollow, so drugs can flow through it. The needles vary in size, depending on the type of drug and where it is being injected.
A syringe can be used to deliver a wide variety of medications. Intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SQ), and intradermal (ID) are the most common types of injection. Each type of injection requires a specific injection needle. These vary by chamfer type, length, and gauge or diameter. The higher the gauge of a needle, the thinner the needle.
A typical injection needle for subcutaneous use, such as those used for insulin injections, is ½ inch (12.7 mm) to 5/16 inch (5 mm) long with a 28 to 31 gauge. Intramuscular injections often require a injection needle about one in (25.4 mm), but they vary greatly depending on the size of the person receiving the injection. IM needles are offered in gauges ranging from 22 to 25. Intradermal injections are used in tuberculosis testing and use a ¼ to ½ in (6.35-12.7 mm), 25-27 gauge needle. IV needles are typically shorter with no more than 25 gauge.
A special injection needle can be used to place a cannula inside a vein, to connect to a peripheral IV line for the administration of fluids or medications on an ongoing basis. The needle is enclosed in a cannula, and when the needle is removed, the cannula remains in place in the vein. Once properly positioned, the cannula will be fixed in place and used to deliver medications or fluids directly into the bloodstream.
In many places, the sale of needles and syringes is tightly monitored and may not be legally purchased without a valid prescription. This is due to the potential use of illegal drugs. Some agencies have set up needle exchange programs to discourage needle sharing and to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Most often, an injection needle will be disposable. This minimizes the risk of reuse-related infection contamination. Proper disposal in a thick-walled, properly labeled biohazard sharps container is important to prevent injury after needle disposal.
While an injection needle is most commonly seen in a medical setting, many patients use it for self-administration of medications, such as insulin or adrenaline. It is important that those who administer injections at home use proper precautions when preparing medication for injection, as well as follow proper procedures for disposing of used needles. Sharps disposal containers can be purchased at pharmacies.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
