Choice of method of administration when conducting minor procedures without anaesthesia

Substances are usually administered by the oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous routes.

The selection of a particular route of administration must balance a number of factors – for example, the volume and physicochemical properties of the substance, the required speed of onset, and other factors such as the degree of tissue irritation that could be caused. These topics are discussed in more detail in a number of different guidelines (Diehl et al, 2001¹, Morton et al, 2001², Turner et al, 2011a³ and b⁴)