Infusion therapy is needed when a patient cannot take a drug orally. It’s also a method of delivering medications in larger or more controlled amounts, such as during chemotherapy for cancer or with pain medication during childbirth.
You can get infusion therapy in a medical setting or at home. Insulin shots are an example of home infusion therapy.
This article explains the uses, benefits, and potential side effects of different kinds of infusion therapy.
Types of Infusion Therapy and Their Uses
The types of infusion therapy are:
Intravenous (IV) Epidural Intramuscular Subcutaneous
Intravenous (IV)
Intravenous therapy is when medications or fluids are injected directly into the bloodstream. IV therapy is commonly used for:
Maintaining fluids in the body after dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, or surgeryChronic conditions, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy for cancerAntibiotic therapyAdministering anesthesia before surgeryBlood transfusionsProviding nutrients, like iron and B vitamins, when they are chronically low
Epidural
An epidural is a type of infusion therapy that is inserted around the spinal nerves in the lower back. Epidurals block pain signals from being sent from the spine to the brain. An epidural can administer the following:
Analgesia (pain relief)Anesthesia (numbing)Steroids for pain, as with acute back pain
Epidurals are best-known as a way to prevent or numb the pain of childbirth, but they can also be used to prevent pain during and after surgery. Epidurals might also help relieve acute pain.
Intramuscular
Intramuscular infusion therapy is when medication is inserted into muscle tissue. Uses of intramuscular infusion therapy include:
Hormone therapy, such as testosterone or estrogen injections for cancer treatmentAntibioticsVaccinesAntibodies (immunoglobulins), which are proteins made by cells to help the immune system fight bacteria, viruses, or other harmful substances
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous infusion therapy is when drugs are injected into fat underneath the skin. Subcutaneous injection sites include the upper arms, stomach, upper thighs, lower back and buttocks. Subcutaneous therapy includes:
Insulin therapy for diabetics Opioids for pain relief Allergy medications like epinephrine Heparin, a medication used to prevent blood clots
Benefits of Infusion Therapy
The benefits of infusion therapy include:
Fast-acting relief, especially in emergency situations, like after an allergic reaction or during childbirthMedication for those who cannot take pills orallyAdministering larger and/or controlled amounts of medicationIntramuscular and subcutaneous injections help drugs remain in the body longerHigh success rates for several conditions
Side Effects of Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy side effects might include:
Epidurals are about 98%–99% successful in relieving pain for people giving birth. Monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 reduced viral burden—the amount of virus healthcare providers can find in your body—by 90% in trial participants, and emergency room visits and infection time were cut by almost half. Ketamine infusion therapy could be a fast and effective treatment for chronic depression, with about half of patients in one study responding to treatment. Some cancers respond better to chemotherapy, a type of infusion therapy that kills harmful cells, than others. For example, a recent study found prostate cancer patients were about 10% more likely to survive with chemotherapy than other cancer treatments. But there are other infusion therapies available to treat cancer that have fewer side effects than chemotherapy. These include hormone therapy. antibodies, vaccines, and immunotherapy.
Redness at the site of injectionSwellingInjury at the injection siteMuscle painAllergic reactions like rash, difficulty breathing, and confusion
The following are some risks associated with each type of infusion therapy.
IV Therapy Complications
IV therapy complications may include:
Burning, stinging, or redness if IV solution leaks onto skin surrounding the injection sitePus leaking from injection if infectedPulmonary edema, or excess lung fluid: This requires quick medical attention and is marked by shortness of breath and coughing up a frothy substance. Air embolism (when air enters the vein): Symptoms include shortness of breath, increased heart rate, shoulder pain, light-headedness, and confusion.
Epidural Therapy Complications
Epidural therapy complications may include:
Low blood pressureHeadacheHot flashesDamaged blood vesselDamage to injection site nervesLosing bladder and bowel control
Intramuscular Therapy Complications
Intramuscular therapy complications may include:
Nerve damageMedication leaking into surrounding tissueMuscle atrophy, or when a muscle loses strengthBone injury
Subcutaneous Therapy Complications
Subcutaneous therapy complications may include:
Blister at injection siteHeadacheSore throatNauseaKidney problemsBlood clots
How to Prepare and What to Expect
To prepare for infusion therapy, you’ll want to ask your practitioner about the following:
Some children under 12Some older adultsIn some cases, people with high blood pressure or high cholesterolThose with a history of heart problemsPeople experiencing heavy bleeding, including during childbirthThose who’ve had blood clots in the pastPeople giving birth who are experiencing low blood pressure
Before undergoing infusion therapy, be sure to share your medical history and any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.
If you have to avoid any foods or modify your medication schedule before treatmentIf others are allowed to come with you to the procedureIf there will be pain and something to relieve that painWhat will be used to treat allergic reactions if they ariseHow many sessions are required for treatmentAny side effects you should monitor at homeHow many training sessions you and your caregivers will receive for home infusion therapyHow to measure medications accurately for home infusion therapy
Expect the following during infusion therapy:
That the injection site and needles are disinfectedThat the injection site is covered after your treatmentHaving a comfortable chair to sit in throughout the treatmentAnesthesia for some larger needles that are used during treatmentBeing monitored throughout your therapyFor home fusion, that you and your caregivers receive adequate training and follow-up appointments
Summary
Infusion therapy is when a medication or nutrient is inserted directly into a person’s system. Infusion therapy can be intravenous (IV), meaning through an IV needle; an epidural, which is inserted around nerves in the spinal cord; intramuscular, which is inserted in muscle tissue; or subcutaneous, inserted into body fat under the skin.
A Word From Verywell
From vaccines to chemotherapy to monoclonal antibodies to treating COVID-19, infusion therapy has been a lifesaving treatment method for many. If being treated by a needle with powerful drugs sounds intimidating to you, express your concerns to your healthcare provider before the infusion therapy.
Also discuss side effects and potential complications and how to treat them. If you’re getting home infusion therapy, be sure to ask for clear instructions and proper training beforehand. If you have a chronic illness, it’s important to consider the different types of infusion therapy available to you, whether for pain relief, immunotherapy, or for rebalancing nutrients to prevent further disease.
