Blisters are more than an unsightly inconvenience. They may cause simple things such as bathing and putting on clothes or shoes to become worrying activities. And, when they are caused by pemphigus vulgaris, they are extremely disrupting of a person’s life. In addition to being painful and often leading to hospitalization, individuals with pemphigus vulgaris must seek treatment as soon as possible — failing to do so could be fatal.
What is pemphigus vulgaris?
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder that causes a person to experience outbreaks of blisters on the skin, as well as on the lining of the mouth. It occurs due to the immune system attacking the proteins on the upper layers of the person’s skin. The condition is always severe, and it can cause entire thin layers of skin to peel off. Most individuals suffering from pemphigus vulgaris are middle-aged or older.
The blisters of pemphigus vulgaris are large, soft, and painful. They sometimes burst open and become infected. If they pop up inside a person’s mouth or throat, the individual will have extreme difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing.
How does infusion therapy for pemphigus vulgaris work?
Since pemphigus vulgaris makes it difficult — and sometimes impossible to swallow oral pills, infusion therapy provides a viable solution. The medication is administered through an IV, which drips slowly into the patient’s arm. And, because it reaches the bloodstream immediately, you can begin experiencing relief from symptoms at a faster rate than from oral drugs.
What to Expect
When you visit any of our Infusion Associates locations, you will meet with one of our healthcare professionals. During this meeting, one of our clinical staff will explain the entire process — including information about dosage amount, length of infusion, and possibility of side effects. You can also take this time to ask questions and address concerns.
Once the initial meeting concludes, you’ll be escorted to one of our treatment rooms. If you’d prefer, you can request a private room in advance. You can bring a family member or friend to keep you company, as well as your favorite snacks. At our facilities, we’ll provide cozy reclining chairs and blankets, Wi-Fi, TV, and warm beverages, to make the infusion treatments as comfortable as possible.
Common Medications for Pemphigus Vulgaris
There are several infusion therapy treatments to treat adults with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris. Talk with your doctor to determine which one would work best for you. Options include Rituximab and IVIG (Gammagard, Gamunex, and Privigen).
Side Effects
As with any prescription medication, infusion therapy comes with a risk of side effects. These may vary from one person to the next. The most common ones include:
- Tiredness
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Nasal congestion
- Muscle cramps
- Sore throat
- Coughing or sneezing
- Infusion-related reactions — such as redness at the injection site
- Infections
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy for Pemphigus Vulgaris, 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 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.