Category: Injection safety

Millions of injections are administered daily, but not all are without risk. Accidentally hitting a blood vessel is a rare but serious concern. So, **what will happen if my injection hits the blood vessel?** The consequences vary based on the medication and vessel type.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unsafe injection practices can lead to serious patient harm, underscoring the critical need to understand how long a vial is good for after being punctured. Knowing the correct beyond-use date (BUD) for both single-dose and multi-dose vials is essential for preventing microbial contamination and ensuring the medication remains safe and effective. Incorrect handling or storage can compromise sterility, leading to serious infections.

Semaglutide, available under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, is designed for subcutaneous injection into the fatty tissue, not the muscle. A common complication from injecting incorrectly is a more rapid medication absorption, which can lead to a quicker and more intense onset of side effects. This is why understanding what happens if you accidentally inject semaglutide into muscle is crucial for patient safety.

According to a 2021 study, subcutaneous testosterone injections can lead to more stable hormone levels compared to intramuscular injections, and with less risk of hitting a nerve due to the use of smaller needles. Knowing how to avoid hitting a nerve when injecting testosterone is crucial for a safe and comfortable self-administration process.

While many healthcare professionals and patients routinely use alcohol swabs before injections, modern evidence and guidelines from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggest it may not always be necessary for routine, non-critical procedures like subcutaneous shots on visibly clean skin. However, the practice remains widespread, leading many to ask: do you need an alcohol wipe before an injection?