What is Infusion Therapy? Infusion Therapy Explained

What is Infusion Therapy? Infusion Therapy Explained

Infusion therapy is a type of therapy where liquid medication is injected into the body. This can be done by inserting a needle through the skin or through an intravenous line.

The most common types of infusion therapy are intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC). IV infusions are given through an intravenous needle inserted into a vein, while SC infusions are given through a small needle inserted just below the skin.

In some cases, both IV and SC infusions may be used depending on the medication being given.

Infusion Therapy Uses

Infusion therapy for pain relief is used for a variety of conditions. One common condition that infusion therapy is used to treat is chronic back pain. Doctors infuse an opioid medication such as morphine through the intra-arterial route into the back to reduce pain caused by degenerative disc disease.

For example, in a study involving patients who were undergoing cardiac surgery, 80% of the patients who received continuous intra-aortic or intravenous suprasternal infusion could tolerate at least one hour of high-pressure ventilation while they were paralyzed.

It has been found that infusion therapy may be effective against some types of surgical-induced muscle spasms. 

The most common types of infusion are subcutaneous, intravenous, intra-arterial, and intraperitoneal.

The side effects of infusion therapy may include fever, chills, and nausea.

Infusion therapy can be expensive depending on what kind of medication is being infused and how often it needs to be done.