What Is Infusion Therapy? A Guide to How It Works and Who It Helps
November 24, 2025When oral medications aren’t enough or simply aren’t an option, infusion therapy offers an advanced, effective alternative. Delivered directly into the bloodstream, infusion therapy ensures that medications get exactly where they need to go, faster and more efficiently.
Whether you’re managing a chronic illness, recovering from an infection, or living with an autoimmune condition, infusion therapy may be part of your care plan. Let’s explore how it works, what to expect, and who can benefit most.
What Is Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy refers to the delivery of medication, nutrients, or other treatments directly into a vein using an IV. This method allows for faster absorption and better control over how much of a medication enters the body.
Infusion therapy can be used to deliver:
- Antibiotics
- Chemotherapy
- Biologic drugs
- Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
- Fluids and electrolytes
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Nutritional therapy (TPN)
Some therapies may also be delivered subcutaneously (under the skin), depending on the medication and treatment goals.
Why Is Infusion Therapy Used?
Infusion therapy is often used when:
- Oral medications aren’t effective
- A patient can’t take medications by mouth
- A medication must be delivered in a controlled or timed dose
- Rapid relief or high-dose treatment is needed
- A treatment requires careful monitoring for side effects
- The needed medication is only available in an infusion form
Because the medication enters the bloodstream directly, infusion therapy can start working faster than pills or subcutaneous injections and is often more effective for patients with complex or advanced health needs.
Is Infusion Therapy Right for Me?
Your healthcare provider will work with you to decide if infusion therapy is the best approach based on:
Your Diagnosis
Treatment Goals
Risk of Side Effects
Your Lifestyle and Personal Preferences
Past Response to Oral or Injectable Medications
Conditions That May Require Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy can help patients manage a wide range of conditions, including:
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis
- Chronic infections that require long-term IV antibiotics
- Dehydration or nutrient deficiencies due to GI disorders or cancer
- Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy
- Neurological conditions like myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Chronic pain or migraines that respond to IV therapy
- Certain chronic conditions, such as osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, and migraines
In many cases, infusion therapy offers relief when other treatments have not been effective or provides the most efficient way to manage a long-term condition.
What to Expect During Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy is typically provided in a clinical setting such as a hospital, outpatient infusion center, or specialty clinic. At ArrIVe Infusion Therapy (coming Sept. 15!), we’ve designed our space to feel calm, comfortable, and supportive from start to finish.
During your visit:
- A nurse or infusion specialist will insert a small IV into your arm or hand.
- Your medication will be delivered over a set period—ranging from 30 minutes to several hours.
- You can relax, read, listen to music, or even nap during the session.
- Your care team will monitor you throughout for safety and comfort.
Most patients can resume their normal activities after treatment, though you may feel tired depending on the type of medication.
A Trusted Resource for Patients with Complex Needs
At ArrIVe Infusion Therapy, our goal is simple: to make specialty treatments more accessible, more comfortable, and more compassionate. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or adjusting your long-term care plan, we’re here to support you with experienced providers, personalized care, and a healing environment built around you.