Reply #47: Don't kid yourself [View All]

[Sgent]

There are many cases where IM injections are more appropriate than oral -- even when they both have the same efficacy.

For instance, first line antibiotic treatment by all the ENT's here for complicated otitis media/serouses is Rocephin IM.

First line treatment for GC/Clamydia in public health atmospheres is IM, as compliance is much higher.

If there's a question of compliance, esp. with a pill that must be taken multiple times per day, it's better to administer it IM than orally.

Finally, as to the side effects, its probably less dangerous to have an injection in the office than take an oral drug at home. I've never seen a complication from the needle stick other than soreness/pain. I've seen multiple cases of anaphlyaxis in both oral and IM injections -- at least IM they are somewhere where they can be helped.