The Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory

Introduction Routes Injection Dependent Routes Intravenous Intramuscular Intradermal Subcutaneous Epidural Intrathecal Injection Independent Routes Equipment Devices and Supplies Aseptic Techniques Additional Considerations

Intradermal

The dermis is the more vascular layer of the skin just beneath the epidermis. The usual site for intradermal injections is the anterior surface of the forearm. Needles are generally 3/8 inches long and 25 to 26 gauge. Drugs that are intradermally injected are agents for diagnostic determinations, desensitization, or immunization. For this route of administration, 0.1 ml of solution is the maximum volume that can be administered. During injection a wheal, or raised blister-like area, forms on the skin surface as the solution is injected. The drug will be absorbed from this depot into the dermis.