subcut

Medical abbreviation · Medication Route

subcut
Stands forSubcutaneous
CategoriesMedical

subcut stands for Subcutaneous, a medication route abbreviation.

The form ISMP recommends for subcutaneous dosing, replacing SC, SQ and sub q. It describes injection into the fat layer between skin and muscle, typically in the abdomen, upper arm or thigh, at a 45 to 90 degree angle with a short, fine needle.

Example: Insulin glargine 20 units subcut nightly; rotate injection sites.

Usage notes

Pronounced "sub-cute". Many hospitals adopted "subcut" in their electronic order sets after ISMP's recommendations. Volumes are usually limited to about 1 to 2 mL per site, although on-body infusers now deliver larger volumes of some biologics. Rotating sites prevents lipohypertrophy, which slows insulin absorption.

More medication route abbreviations

  • AD – Auris dextra (right ear)
  • AS – Auris sinistra (left ear)
  • AU – Auris utraque (each ear, both ears)
  • CIVI – Continuous intravenous infusion
  • ET – Endotracheal
  • GT – Gastrostomy tube
  • IA – Intra-articular
  • ICV – Intracerebroventricular
  • ID – Intradermal
  • IJ – Injection
  • IL – Intralesional
  • IM – Intramuscular

See all 41 medication route abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.