A
subcutaneous injection is administered as a
bolus into the
subcutis, the layer of skin directly below the
dermis and
epidermis, collectively referred to as the
cutis. Subcutaneous injections are highly effective in administering vaccines and medications such as
insulin,
morphine,
diacetylmorphine and
goserelin. Subcutaneous, as opposed to intravenous, injection of
recreational drugs is referred to as "
skin popping". Subcutaneous administration may be
abbreviated as
SC,
SQ,
sub-cu,
sub-Q,
SubQ, or
subcut. Subcut is the preferred abbreviation for patient safety.