Sue Hemsworth considers the evidence for good practice when intramuscular injections are unavoidable
In December 1999, the intramuscular (IM) route for the drug Erwinia L-Asparaginase was adopted in paediatric oncology units in the light of pharmacokinetic data which indicated that it results in a more even distribution of uptake. This cyotoxic drug, used in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), had been given previously as a subcutaneous (SC) injection. It is not possible to give L-Asparaginase as an intravenous (IV) infusion because of the risk of anaphylaxis.
Nursing Children and Young People. 12, 9, 17-20. doi: 10.7748/paed2000.11.12.9.17.c672
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