What is the maximum amount of water soluble medication given by the subcutaneous route?

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Missed Dose
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What is the maximum amount of water soluble medication that can be injected subcutaneously?
How much medication can you give subcutaneously?
Can you give 2ml subcutaneously?
What is the maximum volume of medication that can be injected?
Which drug is administered by the subcutaneous route?
What medications are given by subcutaneous injection?

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. Etanercept may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you or your child are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how to use the medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself or your child a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems.

This medicine is available in 4 forms. You may use a prefilled Enbrel Mini™ cartridge through the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector, a prefilled syringe, a prefilled SureClick™ autoinjector, or a vial (glass container).

The needle cover on the prefilled syringe, SureClick™ autoinjector, and Enbrel Mini™ cartridge contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you or your child have a latex allergy before you start using this medicine.

To use the autoinjector or syringe:

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Remove the carton with the syringe or autoinjector from the refrigerator and place it on a clean cloth.
Allow 30 minutes for the syringe or autoinjector to warm up to room temperature.
Do not remove the needle cover on the prefilled syringe or the autoinjector cap while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature. Remove these immediately before use.
Check the liquid in the syringe or autoinjector. It should be clear and colorless, and may have small white particles. If it is cloudy, discolored, or has large particles, do not use it.
Check that the amount of liquid in the prefilled syringe falls between the two purple fill level indicator lines on the syringe. If the syringe does not have the right amount of liquid, do not use it.
If the liquid is clear, place it on a clean, flat surface. Do not shake the medicine.
Choose an injection site on your body (eg, thigh, abdomen or stomach area, or upper arm). Clean the injection site with a fresh alcohol wipe and let it dry.
Remove the cap or needle cover when you are ready to inject.
Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, or hard.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container (puncture-resistant) that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

To use the Enbrel Mini™ cartridge using the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector:

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Allow 30 minutes for the cartridge to warm up to room temperature. Do not shake it.
Do not remove the purple cap from Enbrel Mini™ while allowing the medicine to reach room temperature. Do not remove the cap unless the cartridge is inside the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector and you are ready to inject.
Check the liquid in the Enbrel Mini™. It should be clear and colorless, and may have small white particles. If it is cloudy, discolored, or has large particles in it, do not use it.
Do not use the Enbrel Mini™ if it looks cracked or broken, if the purple cap is missing or not securely attached, or if it has been dropped on a hard surface.
Push the door button on the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector and insert the Enbrel Mini™ cartridge. It should slide freely and completely into the door.
Choose an injection site on your body (eg, thigh, abdomen or stomach area, or upper arm).
Remove the needle cap when you are ready to inject. Be sure to take note of the status button on the autoinjector.
Use an alcohol wipe to clean the bottom (injection end) of the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector before and after each use. Do not store the AutoTouch™ in the refrigerator with Enbrel Mini™.

To use the vial:

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
The vial of powder must be mixed with the liquid provided in your dose kit. Mix the medicine only when you are ready to use it. Do not shake the medicine after it has been mixed.
Do not use the mixture if it is cloudy or has particles floating in it.
If the liquid is clear, prepare your dose by filling the syringe with the proper amount from the vial. Attach a new needle to the syringe before you inject.
Choose an injection site on your body (eg, thigh, abdomen or stomach area, or upper arm). Clean the injection site with a fresh alcohol wipe and let it dry.
Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, or hard.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container (puncture-resistant) that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
If you are using one vial (container) for more than one dose, use the "Mixing Date" stickers from the dose kit to write the date you mixed the medicine. Attach the sticker to the vial.
Put the unused mixture in the refrigerator right away. Do not mix the contents of one vial with another vial.
Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For injection dosage forms (prefilled autoinjector, prefilled cartridge, prefilled syringe, or vial):
- For juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing 63 kilograms (kg) or more—The dose is 50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week.
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing less than 63 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 0.8 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight up to 50 mg, injected under the skin once a week.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For plaque psoriasis:
  - Adults—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin 2 times per week, given 3 or 4 days apart, for 3 months. Then, your dose will be reduced to 50 mg once a week.
  - Children 4 years of age and older weighing 63 kilograms (kg) or more—The dose is 50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week.
  - Children 4 years of age and older weighing less than 63 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 0.8 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight up to 50 mg, injected under the skin once a week.
  - Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis:
  - Adults—50 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a week.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep your medicine in the original package until you are ready to use it. You may also store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, or humidity for up to 14 days. Do not return it to the refrigerator. Throw away unused medicine after 14 days.

Do not refrigerate the AutoTouch™ reusable autoinjector. Keep it at room temperature.

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Portions of this document last updated: Nov. 01, 2022

What is the maximum amount of water soluble medication that can be injected subcutaneously?

The maximum volume generally accepted for an SC injection is around 1.5 ml [29], although higher volumes (of up to 4 ml) can be administered if necessary [30].

How much medication can you give subcutaneously?

Administration into the subcutaneous (SC) tissue is a typical route of delivery for therapeutic proteins, especially for frequent treatments, long-term regimens, or self-administration. It is currently believed that the maximum volume for SC injections is approximately 1.5 mL.

Can you give 2ml subcutaneously?

Medications administered by subcutaneous injection include drugs that can be given in small volumes (usually less than 1 mL but up to 2 mL is safe).

What is the maximum volume of medication that can be injected?

For a well-developed adult, no more than 3 ml of medication should be administered in a single IM injection because the muscle tissue does not absorb it well in larger volumes.

Which drug is administered by the subcutaneous route?

The subcutaneous route allows drugs such as insulin and heparin to be absorbed slowly over a period of time. Using the correct injection technique and selecting the correct site will minimise the risk of complications. This is the second article in a two-part series on injection techniques.

What medications are given by subcutaneous injection?

Medications that can be given subcutaneously include insulin, some hormones, blood thinners, and medications that stimulate blood cell production such as filgrastim (Neupogen). If you need to give yourself a subcutaneous injection, your provider will give you specific instructions.