A subcutaneous injection is a method of administering medication into the fatty tissue layer located just beneath the skin and above the muscle. This route is preferred for medications like tirzepatide because the fat layer has few blood vessels, allowing for a slow, sustained absorption of the drug into the systemic circulation.
Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. This delivery method is designed for ease of self-administration by patients. Proper technique, including rotating injection sites and using fine-gauge needles, is essential to prevent localized skin irritation or the development of lipohypertrophy (lumps of fat under the skin).
The definitive guide by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN