Specialty infusion therapy delivers complex medications directly into your bloodstream through an IV or injection. Unlike standard IV treatments, specialty infusions include particular medicines for chronic, complex, and rare conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancers, and genetic disorders. These treatments are often given in infusion centers, where healthcare providers can closely monitor patients.

What is Specialty Infusion Therapy?

Specialty infusions are important for medications that can’t be taken as pills. If you take these medications by mouth, your digestive system breaks them down before they reach your bloodstream. Infusions bypass this problem, allowing the medications to work more effectively.

Conditions Treated with Specialty Infusions 

Specialty infusion therapy can help manage a variety of severe ongoing conditions, including:

• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease are treated with biologic drugs that regulate the immune system. Biologic infusion therapies for autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, reduce disease activity by up to 50% in patients who do not respond to oral treatments, based on data from the National Library of Medicine.
• Infectious Diseases: Long-term antibiotics given through infusion can help manage severe infections like bone infections.
• Neurological Disorders: Infusions for multiple sclerosis (MS) and similar conditions may help slow disease progression.
• Cancers: Infused chemotherapy and immunotherapy target cancer cells directly or support the immune system.
• Chronic Pain: Conditions like migraines and fibromyalgia can be managed with specific infusions to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Genetic Disorders: Enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) help patients with genetic diseases, such as Gaucher’s and Fabry’s disease.

Each infusion is tailored to the patient’s condition, dosage, and schedule to provide the most effective treatment.

Benefits of Specialty Infusion Therapy 

Specialty infusion therapy offers several benefits compared to oral medications:

Targeted Treatment: Infusions deliver medications directly to your bloodstream, improving effectiveness and reducing side effects from going through your digestive system. Faster Relief: Direct delivery allows for quicker symptom relief, especially for conditions where pills are less effective. Consistent Absorption: 

Oral medications can vary in how much of the drug is absorbed due to factors like food intake or digestive health. Infusions provide more consistent results. Infusions are carefully dosed and monitored, which may lower the risk of adverse reactions.

The Role of the Infusion Center 

Specialty infusion centers provide a comfortable, medically supervised setting for your treatments. They are staffed by trained healthcare professionals and equipped with technology and safety protocols to monitor your progress closely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Infusion Therapy 

How Long Does a Typical Infusion Session Take?
The length of your infusion session can vary depending on the medication and dosage. Some treatments take only 30 minutes, while others take several hours. Your healthcare provider will let you know the expected duration.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Infusion Therapy?
Potential risks include allergic reactions or side effects like dizziness or fatigue. However, the infusion center staff can quickly identify and manage any issues that arise.

Can I Receive Infusion Therapy at Home?
Home infusions may be an option for patients with stable health conditions, but most specialty infusions require the medical setting of an infusion center. In the United States, more than 3.2 million patients receive IV infusion treatments annually in non-hospital settings, such as physician offices and infusion centers, according to the National Home Infusion Association.

When to Consider Specialty Infusion Therapy 

If oral medications aren’t working for you or your healthcare provider recommends infusion therapy, it’s worth considering. Talk to your provider to see if infusion therapy could be a good fit for your treatment plan and lifestyle.

Taking the Next Step with Specialty Infusion Therapy

If oral medications aren’t providing relief or your healthcare provider has recommended infusion treatment, specialty infusion therapy may be an option worth exploring. At the Infectious Disease Consultants, our team delivers personalized care in a comfortable, patient-focused setting. Schedule an appointment to see if specialty infusion therapy may benefit you.