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Clinical Trial
. 2001 Nov;108(5):871-3.
doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.119409.

Epinephrine absorption in adults: intramuscular versus subcutaneous injection

F E Simons  1 , X Gu, K J Simons
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Epinephrine absorption in adults: intramuscular versus subcutaneous injection

F E Simons et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001 Nov.

Abstract

We report a prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, 6-way crossover study of intramuscular versus subcutaneous injection of epinephrine in young men. Peak plasma epinephrine concentrations were significantly higher (P < .01) after epinephrine was injected intramuscularly into the thigh than after epinephrine was injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously into the upper arm. We recommend intramuscular injection of epinephrine into the thigh as the preferred route and site of injection of this life-saving medication in the initial treatment of anaphylaxis.

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