What is the common needle gauge for subcutaneous injections?

Subcutaneous injections typically utilize a needle gauge that allows for a comfortable and effective delivery of medication into the fatty tissue beneath the skin. A 25 gauge needle is commonly used for this purpose because it strikes a balance between being thin enough to minimize discomfort while still providing sufficient flow for the medication being administered.

The 25 gauge needle is well-suited for subcutaneous injections as it reduces the risk of causing pain or tissue damage, which can occur with larger gauge needles. This gauge is also less traumatic to the tissue when compared to thicker needles, making it ideal for self-administration and routine injections.

In contrast, other gauges such as 18 gauge and 20 gauge are too large for subcutaneous use, as they are typically reserved for intramuscular injections or for drawing blood, where a larger bore is needed. Meanwhile, a 27 gauge needle, while sometimes used for more delicate skin or for certain medications, is less common for standard subcutaneous injections due to its very fine size, which may slow down the injection process and can make it challenging to inject thicker medications. Thus, the 25 gauge needle emerges as the preferred option for subcutaneous injections in most scenarios.