Compounded sterile injectables provide a way for patients to benefit from medications that may not be optimally absorbed orally or topically. Injectable preparations bypass bodily roadblocks, like liver digestive enzymes, that can negatively impact drug bioavailability. Sterile injectables can be administered subcutaneously (SQ), intramuscularly (IM), or via intracavernosal injection (ICI). Your prescription will designate how your injectable medication should be given. 

A subcutaneous (SQ or SC) injection delivers medicine into the fatty layer between skin and muscle. Typical injection sites include the fatty areas on the upper arm, abdomen, and thigh. Medications given by SQ route tend to be smaller in volume.  

An intramuscular (IM) injection delivers medicine into the muscle tissue. Typical injection sites include the muscular tissues of the deltoid, thigh, hip, or buttocks. Medications given by IM route may be larger in volume.  

An intracavernosal injection (ICI) is administered along the shaft of the penis. Injectable compounded medications given by this route tend to address sexual support needs and are very small in volume.  

Injectable medications are often dispensed in a sterile vial with injection supplies. Injection supplies allow providers and patients to draw up the appropriate dose and introduce the medication into the body by breaking the skin barrier. Needles and syringes prescribed by your provider may vary in size and length to match the administration technique.  

For all injectable preparations, it is very important to rotate injection sites to optimize proper medication absorption and minimize injection site complications. Properly disinfecting the dosing site using alcohol swabs prior to injection, and using new, clean injection supplies for each administration will limit the risk of infection. To learn more about what to expect with at home injectable medications, click here.