FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is infusion therapy, or IV therapy?
IV is the abbreviation for intravenous, which means “within a vein”. Typically, infusion therapy is the administration of medications by placing a flexible catheter into the vein using a small needle. Infusion therapy may also refer to the administration of medications through injections. Subcutaneous injections are administered using a small needle just beneath the surface of the skin. Intramuscular injections are administered using a small needle into the muscle.

What conditions are treated with infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is often recommended and prescribed to treat chronic, complex, and rare conditions. Examples of the various diseases/ conditions include, but are not limited to: Alzheimer’s Disease, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Iron Deficiency, Osteoporosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Lupus.

What is the benefit of infusion therapy?
Medications administered via infusion therapy bypass the gastrointestinal tract and go straight into the patient’s bloodstream. This allows for a higher medication absorption rate for patients, faster relief of symptoms, and is easier on the gut when compared to many oral medications. Overall, infusion therapy is a more efficient treatment.

Is infusion the same as chemotherapy?
No, infusion therapy encompasses the administration of many types of medications whether intravenously or via injection. Chemotherapy is a common infusion therapy using medications to destroy cancer cells and prevent tumor growth.  While some medications used to treat autoimmune diseases may be classified as “chemotherapy drugs”, the dosage prescribed for an autoimmune diagnosis is much lower and less toxic than those used in the treatment of cancer.