Intravenous treatment delivers fluid or medication directly into a vein through a cannula. The IV route can be valuable when there is a genuine clinical indication, but intravenous administration does not by itself make a treatment necessary or beneficial. The substance, dose and purpose must be appropriate for the individual patient.
What IV therapy can and cannot do
IV administration bypasses gastrointestinal absorption and can deliver prescribed treatment directly into the circulation. It should be used because the selected treatment and route are clinically appropriate—not simply because an IV route is perceived as stronger, faster or more effective.
Before an infusion
- A clinician may review hydration status, blood pressure, kidney function, electrolytes, allergies and other laboratory results depending on the planned infusion.
- Tell us about heart failure, kidney disease, pregnancy, previous infusion reactions and all medicines or supplements.
- Do not assume that more fluid is better: both fluid deficit and fluid excess can be harmful.
- Some infusions require additional product-specific precautions, monitoring or post-infusion observation.
Possible complications
Potential IV-related problems include discomfort or bruising at the cannula site, infiltration of fluid into surrounding tissue, phlebitis, infection and device malfunction. Depending on the administered substance, allergic reactions, electrolyte disturbances, blood-pressure changes or fluid overload can also occur.
During treatment
Report increasing pain, burning, swelling, redness, chest tightness, breathlessness, dizziness, itching or feeling suddenly unwell during an infusion. The infusion can be reassessed or stopped if a reaction or cannula problem is suspected.