What STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) medication is administered via intramuscular injection in the abdomen area?

STI Medications Administered via Intramuscular Injection in the Abdomen Area

No STI medications are typically administered via intramuscular injection in the abdomen area. Intramuscular injections for STIs are typically given in large muscle groups such as the gluteal muscle (buttocks) or deltoid muscle (upper arm), not the abdomen.

Common STI Medications Administered via Intramuscular Injection

Ceftriaxone

• Primary administration site: Gluteal muscle (buttocks) or deltoid muscle (upper arm)
• Current recommended dosage: 500 mg IM as a single dose 1
• Administration technique: Should be injected well within the body of a relatively large muscle; aspiration helps to avoid unintentional injection into a blood vessel 2
• For patients weighing ≥150 kg: Increased dose of 1 g IM 1

Ceftriaxone is the first-line treatment for gonorrhea and is administered as an intramuscular injection. According to CDC guidelines, it should be given as a single intramuscular dose of 250 mg (older recommendation) 3 or 500 mg (newer recommendation) 1, 4, often combined with oral doxycycline or azithromycin to treat possible co-infection with chlamydia.

Spectinomycin

• Administration site: Gluteal muscle
• Dosage: 2 g IM as a single dose 3, 1
• Use case: Alternative for patients with cephalosporin allergy 1
• Limitation: Less effective for pharyngeal infections (only 52% effective) 1

Penicillin G Procaine

• Administration site: Gluteal muscle (deep intramuscular)
• Not commonly used now due to resistance and availability of better alternatives

Why Abdomen Is Not Used for STI Medication Injections

1. Anatomical considerations: The abdomen lacks the large muscle mass required for proper IM injections
2. Safety concerns: Risk of injecting into abdominal organs or blood vessels
3. Absorption issues: Medications may not be properly absorbed from abdominal tissue

Proper Administration Sites for Intramuscular STI Medications

1. Gluteal muscle (ventrogluteal or dorsogluteal): Preferred site for larger volume injections like ceftriaxone

   • Better absorption
   • Lower risk of hitting nerves or blood vessels
   • Can accommodate larger volumes of medication

2. Deltoid muscle: Alternative site for smaller volume injections

   • More accessible
   • Less painful for some patients
   • Limited volume capacity (usually <1 mL)

Important Considerations for STI Treatment

• Ceftriaxone should be reconstituted with appropriate diluent before administration 2
• Patients should be monitored for allergic reactions after injection
• Sexual partners should be treated to prevent reinfection 1
• Patients should abstain from sexual activity until therapy is completed and symptoms resolve 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Incorrect injection technique: Proper IM injection technique is essential to avoid complications
2. Inadequate dosing: For patients weighing ≥150 kg, ceftriaxone dose should be increased to 1 g 1
3. Ignoring co-infections: Many STIs co-exist, requiring combination therapy
4. Calcium-containing solutions: Do not use diluents containing calcium with ceftriaxone due to risk of precipitation 2

Remember that proper administration of intramuscular STI medications is critical for treatment success and patient safety. The abdomen is not an appropriate site for these injections.