What is a Booster Shot? How do they work?
A booster shot is an injection that delivers vitamins intramuscularly. Intramuscular injections involve inserting a needle into a muscle, usually in the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks. The medication is then injected into the muscle tissue, where it is absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Meaning these vitamins go directly into the muscle. One of the main advantages of intramuscular injections is that they are relatively easy to administer and do not require specialized equipment. They are also less invasive than IV infusions, which can be uncomfortable for some patients.
But here’s the question: Are intramuscular (IM) injections as effective as IV vitamin infusions? Short answer, yes, but it is metabolized in a different way than the infusion. An IV infusion pretty much hits the bloodstream from the start and is metabolized very quickly. The desired effect is pretty immediate and the effects of the infusion last a shorter amount of time. As for an IM injection, the effects are more delayed as the vitamins are metabolized at a much slower rate. The one benefit about an IM injection is that the effects being metabolized slower technically means that the effects last much longer.
Once a medication is delivered via intramuscular injection, it is absorbed into the muscle tissue and the surrounding blood vessels. From there, the medication is transported to the liver and other organs, where it is metabolized and broken down into smaller, more easily excreted molecules. The rate of metabolism can vary depending on the medication being delivered, as well as the individual patient's metabolism and liver function. Some medications may be metabolized more quickly, while others may take longer to break down.
Maybe a booster shot is more your speed? Don’t know which one to pick? We would be happy to help. Schedule your appointment today with Navo.