Rocephin injections question

[Tanaj]

I work in a large immediate care practice, and the physicians order a lot of IM Rocephin. The dosage is usually 1 gram diluted to about 3.5ml and given in one hip. Even using 1% lido, the injections are very painful, especially for adolescents. I have heard that using a longer 2 inch needle may help reduce pain because it is a deeper injection in the hip. Does anyone have experience with that? Thanks

[momof3lv]

It's been awhile since I gave rocephin shots but I think I usually stuck to around 2ml max for injection. so breaking it up into two separate shots and injecting into each hip would be preferable. Also anyone who has received lidocaine injections realizes that it burns like heck. I've had people tell me that it was less painful when just diluted with ns or sterile water.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

The key is slow injection flow high enables the lidocaine to anesthetize ...with minimal tissue expansion...my patients say my injections are painless ..I usually use 1.5 in needle 23g, but for more obese, I use longer needles up to 3.5 inch...22-23 g

[CryssyD]

Just be sure you're using enough diluent--packaging label will give directions on appropriate dilution--if I remember right, 3.6ml is the minimum for 1Gm; too little diluent may cause the shots to have precipitate in them, which hurts; also, I never found any advantage to lidocaine--it burns, the medication diluted with NS burns, same thing. Shots hurt--I always just try to do it fast.