Infusion Therapy: Benefits, Options and Availability

What is infusion therapy?

Infusion therapy, or IV therapy, involves administering medication intravenously (through an IV). It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, from cancer to gastrointestinal disorders. Typically, infusion therapy is recommended when patients have tried other medications that did not work well to manage their condition.

Available Treatments

Infusion therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and diseases. Conditions that may be treated with infusion therapy at ProMedica include:

• Alzheimer’s disease.
• Autoimmune disorders.
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.
• Heart failure.
• Hemophilia.
• Iron deficiencies.
• Migraine headaches.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

There are a variety of medications administered intravenously to help manage and treat these conditions.

Your Infusion Therapy Visit

Your provider will provide specific instructions for your visit, but here are a few things to give you an idea of what your visit might look like.

Preparing for Your Visit

Be sure to hydrate the night before and the day of your visit. Wear short sleeves or a sleeve that can be easily rolled so that nurse can place the IV or IV catheter.

You’ll know ahead of time how long your infusion will last. Depending on the type of infusion, appointments can last anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours. Be sure to bring something to do for the duration or your infusion. Also bring any meals or snacks you might get hungry for during the infusion.

Prepare a list of other medications you are taking to bring with you to your visit. You will need to share this with your nurse before the infusion begins.

During Your Visit

When you arrive at the infusion center, you will check in and be brought to the infusion chair. You’ll likely be sitting there for a while, so you can get comfy. But don’t worry, our chairs are comfortable, and all recline. If you do need to get up during treatment, such as to use the restroom, your nurse will assist you in taking your IV pole with you to the restroom.

The nurse will check your vitals, go over your current medications and any allergies, give any necessary pre-infusion medications and start your IV. Throughout the infusion, your nurse will check in to monitor your vitals and check for any side effects.

After the infusion is complete, you will likely be asked to stay for observation to ensure no negative side effects arise. Then, your IV will be pulled and you will make an appointment for your next visit. Appointments can be bumped up or pushed back based on your symptoms.

After Your Appointment

You may feel tired, or experience a headache, from receiving the medication in such a large quantity. Watch for any side effects such as nausea, itching or swelling, a rash, fever or cough. If side effects do not resolve within two days, or you are experiencing extreme side effects or discomfort, call your provider.