Intravenous therapy is a way of getting medicines and fluids into your body quickly. It works by putting them directly into your blood through your veins. ‘Intravenous’ means ‘inside a vein’.
It is often called IV therapy for short. You might also hear it being called IV infusion.
Intravenous drug therapy (or infusion) is when it is being used to get medicines into your body.
Lots of different medicines and fluids can be given through IV therapy.
Some of the most common ones are:
- antibiotics – to treat serious infections
- chemotherapy medicines – to treat cancer ( Read our chemotherapy guide here )
- pain management medicines – for severe or long-term pain
- emergency medicines – so they can start to work straight away (for example if you are having a heart attack or stroke)
- immunotherapy medicines – for long-term conditions affecting your immune system
- iron infusions – to treat severe anaemia or to boost your iron levels before an operation
- parenteral nutrition – if you cannot get the nutrients your body needs from eating and digesting food
- fluids and electrolytes – to treat dehydration
- diuretics – to get rid of extra fluid that has built up in your body
Some people also choose to use IV therapy for non-medical reasons, for example to boost vitamin levels. Please talk to your doctor before deciding whether this is right for you.
You might need intravenous drug therapy because your medicine needs to act very quickly and effectively . It goes directly into your blood so it can work straight away. When you take medicine through your mouth (orally), it has to go through your digestive system as well. This means that less than half of it gets absorbed into your blood. It also takes longer to work.
IV therapy may also be the best option for you if you have difficulties with swallowing . It is a good way to make sure the medicine goes into your body without you having to swallow a tablet or liquid.
Your doctor will explain why you need IV therapy. They will also tell you whether there are any alternative treatments that may be suitable for you.
If your IV drug therapy is planned (not an emergency), your doctor and care team will tell you whether there is anything you need to do to prepare.
This might include advice on:
- what to eat and drink before your treatment
- what to wear to your appointment
- what other medicines you can and cannot have before your IV therapy
- how long it is likely to take
- what you should bring with you
- whether you can drive home after your treatment
- whether you can bring anyone with you
If you are not sure about any of these things before the day of your treatment, please ask your doctor or care team.
Exactly what happens during your IV therapy will depend on what medicine you are being given and why. If your treatment is planned (not an emergency), your doctor and care team will explain what will happen.
Ask questions if you are not sure about something. It is important that you understand what is going to happen.
Intravenous access devices are small pieces of medical equipment. They help to get medicine into your bloodstream. They are sometimes called vascular access devices .
They usually involve one or more thin tubes. One end of the tube goes inside your body and the other end stays outside your body. The tubes outside your body attach to other devices that deliver your medicine. They usually have a clamp or stopper for when they are not being used.
Your care team can use the same device to give you different types of medicine. Sometimes, they can also use the same device to take blood from you if you need to have blood tests.
Your device will always be fitted and removed by your medical team.
The type of device you have will depend on:
- what medicine you are having
- why you are having it
- how often you need treatment
- how long you need it for
This section describes some of the common types.
Peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC)
A cannula is a small, flexible tube. A doctor or nurse will insert it into a vein using a needle. This will usually be in your hand or arm. They may need to tie a tight band (tourniquet) around your arm first to make your veins more visible. They will put a dressing over the cannula to keep it in place and to keep it clean.
Cannulas are usually only used for a few days. If your treatment lasts longer than this, the hospital team may insert a new one or change it for a longer-term device.
Midline catheter
A midline catheter is another type of flexible tube. It is longer than a cannula tube but works in a similar way to deliver your medicine.
A doctor or nurse will give you an injection of local anaesthetic. This means you will not feel pain when it goes in.
They will insert the midline into a vein in the top part of your arm near your elbow. They may need to use an ultrasound scan to help them find the best vein to use.
They thread the tube inside your arm until the end is just below your armpit. They will put a dressing over the end that comes out of your arm to keep it in place and to keep it clean.
The midline can stay in your arm for up to 4 weeks.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line)
A peripherally inserted central catheter is an even longer tube. It is often called a PICC line for short. Sometimes it is made up of 2 or 3 smaller tubes to deliver different medicines to your body at the same time.
A doctor or nurse will give you an injection of local anaesthetic. This means you will not feel pain when it goes in.
They will insert the PICC line into a large vein above your elbow. They may need to use an ultrasound scan to help them find the best vein to use.
They thread the tube through the top part of your arm and into your chest area. The end of the tube goes into a large vein near your heart. They may take an x-ray of your chest to check the PICC line is in the right place.
They will put a dressing over the end that comes out of your arm to keep it in place and to keep it clean.
A PICC line can stay in for several months.
Tunnelled central venous catheter (central line or Hickman line)
A tunnelled central venous catheter is another type of long tube used to deliver medicine. A Hickman line is just one brand of tunnelled catheter. However, you will often hear this name being used more generally in hospitals. It is also called a central line .
A specialist called a radiologist or radiographer will insert your central line. They will give you an injection of local anaesthetic. This means you will not feel pain when it goes in.
You will lie still on an x-ray table. They use scans and x-rays to guide them while they insert the tube. It goes in through a large vein in your neck. The other end goes into a large vein near your heart.
They will put a dressing over the end that comes out of your neck to keep it in place and to keep it clean.
A central line can stay in for many months or even years.
Implantable port (port-a-cath)
An implantable port is a small disc that goes under your skin on your chest or arm. It attaches to a thin tube (catheter) that goes into a large vein near your heart. It is sometimes called a port-a-cath .
A doctor or nurse will give you an injection of local anaesthetic. This means you will not feel pain when the port goes in.
They will make some small cuts where the port and catheter go in. They will stitch the cuts up afterwards and put a dressing on top. They will also take an x-ray to make sure the port is in the right place.
An implantable port can stay in for many months or even years.
If you need long-term or frequent IV therapy, you will need to get used to the treatment in hospital first. However, you may be able to carry this on at home after a while. This means you will not have to go to the hospital every time you need treatment.
Many NHS and private hospitals offer this service. Ask your hospital team whether this is an option for you. They will be able to support you to do this safely and effectively.
Intravenous drug therapy has a number of benefits:
- Your body absorbs almost all of the medicine. This compares with less than half when you take a tablet or liquid by mouth (orally).
- The medicine acts very quickly. It goes straight into your blood and does not have to go through your digestive system first.
- It is a good way of giving you medicine when you have difficulties with swallowing.
- Your medical team can use your IV access device to give you multiple treatments over a period of time. They may also use it to take blood from you if you need blood tests.
The medicines themselves will have many benefits. Your doctor will explain these to you before you start your treatment.
You may feel bruised or uncomfortable when you first have your IV access device fitted. However, these symptoms should go away after a little while.
You should not feel any side effects from having the device. If you have any pain, swelling or a high temperature, please tell your medical team.
Possible complications with IV access devices include:
- infections
- blood clots
- blockages in the tubes
- air in the tubes
- broken or split tubes
Your medical team will tell you how to reduce the risk of infection.
This may include:
- how to keep your device clean
- what to do with any dressings
- whether you need to keep the area dry
Your doctor will explain any possible side effects and complications relating to the medicines you are taking.
The cost of IV drug therapy at a private hospital will vary significantly, depending on:
- the medicines you need
- how often you need them
- how long your treatment lasts
- the hospital you choose
An iron infusion may cost £400-£800+ . A cycle of chemotherapy or immunotherapy may cost several thousands. You may also have a consultation fee if a new patient.
Ask your hospital team about the costs involved for the treatment you need. Some hospitals offer fixed-price packages for long-term treatments like chemotherapy. Some hospitals charge separately for consultation appointments.
Your private health insurance may cover the cost of your IV therapy. This will depend on your treatment plan and why you need it. Check your policy and ask your insurer whether you will be covered.
The following pages from Macmillan Cancer Support are about IV access devices. You may find these guides useful if you are having any sort of IV treatment – not just chemotherapy for cancer.
Central (Hickman) lines: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/types-of-treatment/cancer-drug-treatments/central-lines
Implantable ports: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/types-of-treatment/cancer-drug-treatments/implantable-ports
