A needle and syringe are used to introduce a suitable liquid preparation of a drug(s) directly into the body tissues or veins.

A sterile injection of medication is used:

a. When rapid action by the drug is desired.

b. When the drug might be destroyed by digestive juices or vomited if given by mouth.

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c. When the patient is unconscious or injured so that he cannot be given the medication by mouth.

d. When local skin areas need to be anesthetized for an operative procedure.

e. When the medication has to be concentrated in a specific area of the body.