Glossary
Subcutaneous
An injection administered into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin, abbreviated as SubQ or SC.
Also known as:
SubQ SC sub-q subcutaneous injection
Subcutaneous injections are the most common route for peptide administration. The needle is inserted at a 45–90 degree angle into a pinched fold of skin — typically the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The fatty layer beneath the skin acts as a slow-release depot, absorbing the compound gradually into circulation.
Most peptides are injected subcutaneously because the method is less painful than intramuscular injection, requires shorter needles (typically 28–31 gauge, 0.5 inch), and is easy to self-administer. Absorption is slightly slower than IM but adequate for most peptide protocols.