Dr. Linette Williamson - IV Therapy in Encinitas, California

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What Exactly Is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is when you receive medication through a needle or catheter, usually intravenously (IV). Other kinds of infusion therapy include:

• Epidural 
• Intramuscular 
• Subcutaneous 

Some drugs can't be taken orally because they lose their effectiveness when exposed to your digestive system. Infusion therapy is an option 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 possibly had an IV to make sure you remained 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 provide nutrition, as well as many types of medications, including:

• Prescription antibiotics
• Antiemetics 
• Antifungals 
• Antivirals 
• Biologics 
• Blood factors
• Chemotherapy 
• Corticosteroids 
• Growth hormones
• Immunoglobulin replacement
• Immunotherapy 
• Inotropic heart medications

Infusion therapy is also often used because it allows for controlled dosing. Some kinds of chemotherapy, for instance, 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 several types of cancer. While some chemotherapies are given orally, many have to be administered with an IV. In some cases, chemotherapy medications are injected into the spine or to a specific part of the body.

Infusion therapy allows for the delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly into your bloodstream. It also allows you to receive anti-nausea and other medications without the need for additional 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 supply powerful drugs for problems such as:

• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Lupus 
• Psoriasis   
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

It can also provide 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 cause blood clots
• Serious infections such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and sepsis

What Can You Anticipate?

IV infusion therapy typically takes place 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 need several IV therapy sessions, your doctor may recommend 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 implanted under your skin. In future treatments, the needle can be inserted into the port to access the vein without sticking you. The port will be surgically removed after you've finished all your treatments.

• Whatever the setting, IV therapy is administered by nurses or other trained medical professionals. The procedure requires careful surveillance, so if the process is going to take more than a few minutes, there is normally some kind of control mechanism attached to the line to guarantee proper delivery. Constant or remote surveillance always accompanies infusion therapy.
• Depending on the medication, it may be pre-prepared or prepared just prior to use.
• A needle will be placed into the port or a suitable vein, usually in the arm. A tube will attach it to an IV bag holding the medication. The bag will be hung so that the solution drips into your bloodstream. Depending on your particular treatment, you might have multiple IV bags.
• The length of each treatment depends on the medication and your specific condition. It might take thirty minutes or a few hours.
• You'll typically receive plenty of fluids, so don't be surprised if you have to use the bathroom. You can bring the IV pole with you, but be 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 most often intravenously or subcutaneously.

Since the timing can be controlled, it's used to supply chemotherapy drugs and other medications that have to enter your system slowly. It can also be used to deliver drugs into your bloodstream quickly in the case of a life threatening emergency.

Infusion therapy is used to dispense several treatments for a wide range of conditions. It's usually administered by nurses or other qualified 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.

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Linette Williamson, MD is an Integrative Medical Doctor, who specializes in helping her patients and IV Therapy in Encinitas, California

Identify lifestyle factors that affect their everyday medical issues. Dr. Williamson uses cutting-edge testing to find imbalances that are related to your health problems. She will spend time with you to find out what specific issues you have and help you develop a specific plan that is unique to you.

Call the clinic and schedule your appointment now. Phone (760) 875-2627