07.07.2021 – 18:24
Some medications must be given by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. This means that they are delivered directly into the vein using a needle or tube. In fact, the term “intravenous” means “in a vein.”
With IV administration, a thin plastic tube called an IV catheter is inserted into a vein. The catheter allows the doctor to give you multiple safe doses of medication without having to use a needle each time.
Uses of medicines IV
IV medicines are often used because they help control the dosage of medicines. For example, in some situations, people need to take medication very quickly. This includes emergencies, such as a heart attack, stroke or poisoning. In these cases, taking pills or fluids by mouth may not be as fast as getting these drugs into the bloodstream. IV drugs, on the other hand, quickly send a drug directly into the bloodstream.
Other times, the medication may need to be given slowly but steadily. IV administration can also be a controlled way to give medication over time.
Some medicines can be given intravenously because if you take them by mouth, enzymes in the stomach or liver would break them down. This would prevent the medicine from working properly when it reached the bloodstream. Therefore, these drugs would be much more effective if sent directly into the bloodstream from the vein.
Standard IV lines are usually used for short-term needs. For example, they can be used during a short hospital stay to administer medication during surgery or to give pain medication, vomiting medication, or antibiotics. A standard IV line can usually be used for up to 4 days.
In standard IV administration, a needle is usually inserted into a vein in the wrist, elbow, or inner arm.
Many different types of medications can be given intravenously. Some of the medications most commonly given by this method include:
Chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin, vincristine, cisplatin and paclitaxel
antibiotics such as vancomycin, meropenem and gentamicin
antifungal drugs such as micafungin and amphotericin
pain relievers such as hydromorphone and morphine
medicines for low blood pressure such as dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dobutamine
Immunoglobulin (IVIG) medication
Possible side effects
While the use of IV medications is generally safe, it can cause mild and dangerous side effects. Medications given intravenously act on the body very quickly, so side effects, allergic reactions and other effects can occur quickly.
Examples of IV side effects include:
* Infection
Infection can occur at the injection site. To help prevent infection, the administration process should be done carefully using sterile (aseptic) equipment. An infection from the injection site can also pass into the bloodstream. This can cause a serious infection all over the body.
Symptoms of infection may include fever and chills, as well as redness or discoloration, pain, and swelling at the injection site. If you have any symptoms of infection, call your doctor right away.
* Damage to the veins and the injection site
A vein may be damaged during injection or by the use of an IV catheter line. This can cause infiltration. When this happens, the drugs flow into the surrounding tissues instead of passing into the bloodstream. Infiltration can cause tissue damage.
IV administration can cause phlebitis, or inflammation of the veins. Symptoms of infiltration and phlebitis include warmth, pain, and swelling at the injection site. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
* Air embolism
If air gets into the IV medicine syringe, air bubbles can enter the vein. These air bubbles can then go to the heart or lungs and block blood flow. An air embolism can cause serious health concerns, such as heart attack or stroke.
* Blood clots
IV therapy can cause blood clots to form. Clots can block important veins and cause health concerns such as tissue damage or even death. Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous type of blood clot that can be treated with IV treatment.
