In pharmacology, what is included in the definition of intramuscular administration?

Intramuscular administration refers specifically to the process of delivering medication directly into a muscle. This method allows for the rapid absorption of the medication into the bloodstream due to the extensive blood supply in muscle tissue. It is commonly used for vaccinations and certain medications that require quick onset of action or cannot be given orally. The technique typically involves using a syringe and needle, injecting the solution into a large muscle, such as the deltoid, vastus lateralis, or gluteus maximus. Intramuscular administration is useful for scenarios where other routes, such as oral ingestion or subcutaneous injection, may not be effective.

In contrast, other options describe different methods of drug delivery. For instance, injecting within the skin refers to subcutaneous injections, which involve delivering medication just beneath the skin surface, lacking the deeper application characteristic of intramuscular injections. Delivery of medication beneath the skin also falls under subcutaneous administration. Placement between the cheek and gum describes buccal administration, which is a route used for certain forms of medication that dissolve in the mouth and enter the bloodstream via the mucous membranes, optimizing absorption without the need for gastrointestinal processing.