smallest gauge for a depo-testadiol?

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Specializes in Geriatric/LTC, Rehab, Home Hhealth.

What's the smallest gauge needle that you've been able to use to give a depo-testadiol IM with? I have a friend who's MD prescribed for her and said it was fine for me to give this to her at home q month. Well, she handed me a multi-dose vial, a 3cc syringe (with a 22 g. 1-1/2 in on it) and a separate 1in. 18 gauge needle. I used the 22 g to draw it up (kind of a "lets see how thick this stuff is). I had such trouble, I realized I'd have to use the 18g. to give it - which I did. I am hoping someone will respond and say that they've had success with a 21g or something. I know that 18g really smarted her. Thanks!

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.
What's the smallest gauge needle that you've been able to use to give a depo-testadiol IM with? I have a friend who's MD prescribed for her and said it was fine for me to give this to her at home q month. Well, she handed me a multi-dose vial, a 3cc syringe (with a 22 g. 1-1/2 in on it) and a separate 1in. 18 gauge needle. I used the 22 g to draw it up (kind of a "lets see how thick this stuff is). I had such trouble, I realized I'd have to use the 18g. to give it - which I did. I am hoping someone will respond and say that they've had success with a 21g or something. I know that 18g really smarted her. Thanks!

I would think that you should have drawn it up with the 18g and given it with the 22g. An 18g is huge--more for a blood draw or large access for IV--not for an IM injection. We have 1" 18g needles for drawing up meds--not for administering them. Yes, the depo is thick and will smart even with the 22g. You also need the extra length the 1 1/2" needle provides to get it IM.

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Specializes in Family.

In the office, I drew this stuff up with an 18 gauge and then gave it with a 21 (I think). It did take a while to inject. I also always made sure to warm it first. We had one pt who would hold hers tightly in her hand in the lobby so that it would be nice and warm by the time she came back.

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Specializes in Geriatric/LTC, Rehab, Home Hhealth.
I would think that you should have drawn it up with the 18g and given it with the 22g. An 18g is huge--more for a blood draw or large access for IV--not for an IM injection. We have 1" 18g needles for drawing up meds--not for administering them. Yes, the depo is thick and will smart even with the 22g. You also need the extra length the 1 1/2" needle provides to get it IM.

That's what I originally thought, but then when I could barely draw it up with the 22g I thought I'd better used the larger gauge to give. I gave it in the d. gluteal site just under the posterior sup. IC and held the skin down deep so I could get it as deep as possible. I was going to ask her to ask the pharmasist if he had a 21g 1in.---Are you saying that even if I hold the skin down and taught, it won't be deep enough?

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We use a 1 1/2 in for all IM injections. And we must be evil :devil: because we use a 19 g.

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Specializes in Geriatric/LTC, Rehab, Home Hhealth.

Thanks for responding....ok, I'll be evil, too. I'm thinking 21g. 1-1/2 in for next month. Thanks, again.

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