Infusion therapy

Infusion therapy has many uses. You may require medication delivered via infusion (through a needle or catheter) to treat an infection, dehydration, cancer, autoimmune disease or other condition.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, we use infusion therapy to treat a wide range of health conditions. You may receive infusions at the hospital, a specialized infusion center or at home.

What is infusion therapy?

Infusion therapy refers to any type of medication delivered through a needle or catheter. In most cases, infusion therapy is delivered intravenously (IV), meaning it comes through a catheter (thin tube) placed in a vein.

You might receive infusion therapy during a hospital stay. If you need ongoing infusion therapy, you can go to an outpatient infusion center or get it at home under the care of a qualified provider.

You might need infusion therapy every day or just weekly or monthly, depending on the condition you have. Your doctor will discuss the schedule and length of treatment with you before you begin infusion therapy.

Types of infusion therapy

A wide variety of medications can be delivered by infusion. These include:

• Antibiotics
• Biologics (used to treat autoimmune diseases)
• Chemotherapy
• Electrolytes, fluids and nutrition
• Immunoglobin (for immunodeficiency disorders)
• Pain medications

Conditions treated with infusion therapy

Infusion therapy can treat a wide range of conditions because it can deliver many types of medication. You might receive some type of infusion therapy if you have:

• Autoimmune disease (such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis)
• Cancer
• Dehydration
• Immunodeficiency diseases
• Infection
• Malnutrition
• Osteoporosis

Infusion therapy side effects

The types of side effects you might have after infusion therapy depend on the medication you’re receiving. Some common side effects can include:

• Allergic reaction
• Blood pressure changes
• Body aches, chills or fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea

You may also have some pain or irritation at the injection or IV site. If you need ongoing infusion therapy, your doctor will install a port in your vein. This flexible tubing remains in your vein throughout your course of infusion therapy. Medication is delivered directly into the port, so you don’t need a needle inserted into your vein each time.