Infusion therapy is the administration of medications or other therapeutic substances directly into the bloodstream, typically using intravenous (IV) catheters, needles, or other methods. This mode of treatment is often used for patients with diseases that require long-term or high-dose medications, or those for whom oral medications are not effective or appropriate. Some common diseases and conditions that may require infusion therapy include:
- Cancer: Chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies are often administered through infusion to treat various types of cancer.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS are often administered through infusion, such as natalizumab, ocrelizumab, and alemtuzumab.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Some biologic medications used to treat RA, such as infliximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab, require infusion therapy.
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: Biologic medications like infliximab, adalimumab, and vedolizumab are used to treat these inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and may be given via infusion.
- Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD): Infusion therapy is used to administer immunoglobulin replacement therapy for patients with PIDD, which helps boost their immune system.
- Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders: Patients with bleeding disorders may receive clotting factor replacement therapy through infusion.
- Osteoporosis: Some treatments, like zoledronic acid, are administered through infusion to help slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
- Chronic infections: Infusion therapy may be used to administer long-term antibiotic or antiviral treatments in cases of severe or persistent infections, such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or certain cases of Lyme disease.
- Heart failure: Inotropic agents, such as dobutamine and milrinone, may be administered through infusion to help improve heart function in patients with severe heart failure.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and infusion therapy may be used for other conditions as well, based on a healthcare provider’s judgment and individual patient needs.