Your body is built to fight off infections and repair damaged tissues. Sometimes the body’s immune system can become hyperactive and attack normal, healthy tissue. This is known as an autoimmune disease. One of these autoimmune diseases is lupus. While considered a rare condition, lupus impacts mostly women and can be life-threatening if left untreated. It can cause skin rashes and swelling, which can lead to infections and other complications. While creams and oral medications can be used to treat Lupus, these are not always effective. That’s where infusion therapy comes in.
How Infusion Therapy for Lupus Works
Infusion therapy provides IV medications to patients who can’t be treated orally. The medication is given via an infusion pump into a catheter in your vein. Also called IV therapy, infusion therapy is quick to distribute the medicine — with treatments lasting anywhere from 25 minutes to several hours.
What to Expect
When you are referred to an infusion facility — like Infusion Associates — by your doctor, infusion therapy is an ideal way to relieve symptoms and treat chronic conditions like lupus. When arriving for your appointment, a professional and personable staff member will run through the possible side effects of your treatment and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll experience a variety of amenities designed to make your treatment comfortable — including recliner chairs, free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, blankets, pillows, and more. And, you don’t have to get treatment alone. You can bring your family for support or company to help pass the time.
Lupus Infusion Medications
Like most autoimmune diseases, a biological medication is used to treat the disease. There are many medications specifically for lupus, so it’s important to talk to your doctor or an infusion physician about the risks and side effects before determining which treatment is best for you. Your medical history will also play a factor in which medications are right for you. The most common medications for lupus include:
Lupus Infusion Side Effects
Side effects vary based on the medication you’re taking. While not all side effects are life-threatening, your physician may determine that a different lupus medication may work better if your current one is causing you discomfort. The most common side effects of medications like Rituxan and Benlysta are:
- Serious allergic reactions during or 24 hours after treatment
- Painful sores or ulcers — especially around the lips or mouth
- Increased risk of infection
- Liver problems
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist or Medical Provider on-site to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.