How Infusion Is Used in Medication Administration

Ram Kancherla, MD, is a Poughkeepsie, New York medical practitioner who consults with patients at the Hudson Valley Cancer Center. Dr. Ram Kancherla is well-versed in infusions that address tumors via immunotherapy and chemotherapy pathways.

Infusions involve direct delivery into the bloodstream as an alternative to taking drugs in liquid or pill form. They are typically provided through a plastic bag containing the liquid dispensed through a catheter, or a soft, thin tube, into the vein.

Beyond intravenous delivery, some medications may also be administered in other ways. These include subcutaneously (under the skin), intramuscularly, and as an epidural into the fluid surrounding the spine. Different infusion pathways include the abdomen (or another body cavity) and an organ such as the liver.

Infusions commonly meet the needs of patients who find it challenging to swallow liquids or pills. They are also used for chemotherapy and other drugs that are too toxic for rapid delivery and must be dripped into the body gradually. Different drugs require injection or infusion because the stomach breaks them down when swallowed so that they don’t reach the bloodstream. Biologic drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, used in immunotherapies, always require infusion therapy.