Hypodermic Needles

When you intend to perform hypodermic injections, you need the right needle gauge and length. Needle Boxes and packages all have a number, followed by the letter "G." That number indicates the needle's gauge. The higher the number, the thinner the needle. For example, a 27 gauge needle will be much thinner than a 23 gauge needle. After that comes another number followed by the inch symbol. It indicates the length of the needle in inches or sometimes in millimeters (mm). If the needle packaging says 26 G 3/4" Needle, this means the needle has a gauge of 26 and a Length of 3/4 Inch.

Hypodermic needles are used for giving hypodermic njections or for transporting prescribed drugs into the body. Different Drugs have different attributes and need to be delivered to different parts of the Skin. There are 3 types of hypodermic injections. Subcutaneous ones go into the fat layer under the skin. Intramuscular ones are administered into the muscle. Intradermal ones only pierce as far as the dermal layer right below the skin.

Different needle gauges and needle lengths are appropriate for different types of shots. You can find a wide variety here at MedOnTheGo.com, where we strive to meet everyone's needs.

Needles are labeled according to the Gauge (or Width) and the Length. The Needle Box or Package will have a Number followed by the Letter "G" and then Another Number followed by the Inch Sign. When selecting Needle Size, please note that the first number in front of the letter G indicates the Gauge of the needle. The Higher the Number, the Thinner the Needle. For example, A 27 Gauge Needle will be a Lot Thinner than a 23 Gauge Needle.

The Second Number followed by the word Inch (or Inch Symbol ) indicates the length of the needle in inches or sometimes in mm (millimeters). For example, if the Needle Packaging says 26 G 3/4" Needle, this means this Needle has a Gauge of 26 and a Length of 3/4 Inch.

Hypodermic Needles are used for giving Shots or Injections or Inject Medical Drugs/Prescribed Drugs into the Body. Different Drugs have different attributes and need to be delivered to different parts of the Skin. There are 3 Types of Injections- Subcutaneous, Intramuscular and Intradermal. Depending on these factors, The Appropriate Needle Gauge and Needle Length is decided.

The SC Injections or Subcutaneous Shots are given in the Fat Layer under the Skin.

The Intramuscular Injections or IM Shots are given into the muscle.

The Intradermal Injections are given into the dermis, which is the skin layer just below the epidermis or the Upper Skin Layer.

Let us start off with with the First One- Subcutaneous Injections

What is A Subcutaneous Injection or SC Injection?

Subcutaneous means under the skin, therefore for these type of injections, Only a Short Needle either 3/8 Inch or 5/8 Inch is used to inject the drug into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle. 25 Gauge to 30 Gauge Needles are preferred for SC– Subcutaneous Injections.

What are some examples of Subcutaneous Medications?

A Subcutaneous Shot is used to administer medications such as Insulin, Heparin, Opioids or Allergy Medications. There may a whole lot of other drugs that need to be administered through a subcutaneous shot but these are the most common ones.

What are some of the Needles that are preferred for Subcutaneous Injections such as an Insulin Shot or Allergy Medication?

For Insulin Shots we have a selection both under Insulin Syringes with Needle and Insulin Pen Needles. However, here are some of our most popular Needles in this Category:

BD 305122- 25 Gauge x 5/8 Inch PrecisionGlide Needle- Box of 100,

BD 305110- 26 Gauge x 3/8 Inch PrecisionGlide Needle- Box of 100,

McKesson 16N2558- 25 Gauge x 5/8 Inch Needle- Box of 100