Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Infusion Therapy?

What is infusion therapy?

Infusion therapy is the delivery of medications or fluids either intravenously (into a vein) or subcutaneously (into the tissue between the skin and muscle). Infusion therapy may be used when a person cannot take oral medication, if an oral formula of a medication is not available, or when a medication needs to be delivered at a controlled pace.

Health conditions that may benefit from infusion therapy

Infusion therapy is a beneficial treatment option for various conditions. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cancer
• Dehydration
• Pain
• Autoimmune disorders
• Immune deficiencies
• Congestive heart failure
• Infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Lupus
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Hemophilia
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Migraines
• Hypergammaglobulinemia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Blood clotting disorders

Who should avoid infusion therapy?

Although infusion therapy is often beneficial, it is not always the best option in certain situations. This includes the following:

• Individuals with a history of blood clots
• Individuals with a history of heart problems
• Individuals with high blood pressure or cholesterol
• Some older adults
• Some children under 12

To determine who is a good candidate for infusion therapy, it is important to fully discuss the medical history with a health care professional prior to beginning treatment.

Additional source: Verywell Health