What exactly is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is when you get medication through a needle or catheter, usually intravenously (IV). Other types of infusion therapy include:
- epidural
- intramuscular
- subcutaneous
Some drugs can not be taken orally because they lose their effectiveness when exposed to your digestive system. Infusion therapy is an alternative when there's no comparable oral therapy or when you're unable to take oral medication.
If you've ever spent time in a hospital, you probably had an IV to make sure you stayed hydrated and to have other medications given quickly, if needed. That's a type of infusion therapy. So is an insulin pump that releases insulin just under your skin.
Infusion therapy can also be used to supply nutrition, as well as several types of medications, including:
- antibiotics
- antiemetics
- antifungals
- antivirals
- biologics
- blood factors
- chemotherapy
- corticosteroids
- growth hormones
- immunoglobulin replacement
- immunotherapy
- inotropic heart medications
Infusion therapy is also often used since it allows for controlled dosing. Some types of chemotherapy, for example, have to be dripped slowly into the bloodstream. Other medications need to reach the bloodstream quickly in life-and-death situations such as:
- anaphylactic shock
- heart attack
- poisoning
- stroke
What types of conditions is it used for?
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for many types of cancer. While some chemotherapies are given orally, several must be given through an IV. In some cases, chemotherapy drugs are injected into the spine or to a certain part of the body.
Infusion therapy allows for the delivery of chemotherapy medications directly into your bloodstream. It also enables you to receive anti-nausea and other medications without the need for more needles.
Infusion therapy isn't just for cancer, however. It's also used in the treatment of:
- autoimmune disorders
- congestive heart failure
- dehydration
- immune deficiencies
- infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics
- pain
It can provide effective drugs for conditions such as:
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- lupus
- psoriasis
- psoriatic arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
It can also deliver medications for a wide variety of conditions. Here are just a few:
- blood clotting factors for hemophilia
- immunoglobulin replacement therapy for hypergammaglobulinemia
- a "cocktail" of medications for migraine
- corticosteroids and other medications for multiple sclerosis
- platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis
- bisphosphonates for osteoporosis
- insulin for type 1 diabetes
- hypercoagulation disorders that can create blood clots
- severe infections such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and sepsis
What can you expect?
IV infusion therapy normally occurs in a clinical setting, such as a doctor's office, hospital, outpatient facility, or infusion center. Some kinds of infusion therapy can be supplied by healthcare providers in the home.
Each IV session means new needle sticks. So, if you're expected to require several IV therapy sessions, your physician might suggest alternatives to a standard IV line. Central lines can be inserted into your chest, arm, neck, or groin and remain for an extended time.
Another alternative is to have a port surgically embedded under your skin. In future treatments, the needle can be placed into the port to access the vein without sticking you. The port will be surgically removed after you've completed all your treatments.
Whatever the setting, IV therapy is conducted by nurses or other qualified medical professionals. The procedure requires careful surveillance, so if the process is going to take more than a few minutes, there is usually some sort of control mechanism attached to the line to ensure proper delivery. Constant or remote surveillance always accompanies infusion therapy.
Depending on the medication, it might be pre-prepared or prepared just before use.
A needle will be inserted into the port or a suitable vein, usually in the arm. A tube will connect it to an IV bag holding the medication. The bag will be hung to make sure that the solution drips into your bloodstream. Depending on your specific treatment, you might need multiple IV bags.
The length of each treatment depends on the medication and your particular condition. It could take thirty minutes or several hours.
You'll typically receive plenty of fluids, so do not be surprised if you need to go to the bathroom. You'll be able to bring the IV pole with you, but make sure to inform those monitoring you first.
When the medication dispenses, the catheter will be removed.
The bottom line
Infusion therapy is the administration of medication or fluids in a controlled procedure. It's done usually intravenously or subcutaneously.
Because the timing can be controlled, it's used to provide chemotherapy drugs and other medications that need to enter your system slowly. It can also be used to provide medications into your bloodstream quickly in the case of a life threatening emergency.
Infusion therapy is used to give several therapies for a wide range of conditions. It's typically provided by nurses or other trained healthcare providers, generally in a clinical setting.
Speak with your healthcare provider regarding the possible benefits and risks of infusion therapy, and what you can do to make it as safe and effective as possible.
For more information about Dr. Linette's practice and IV Therapy in La Mesa, California, contact us at 760-875-2627 or visit our website at LinetteWilliamson.com and schedule your appointment today!
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