What is Biological Therapy?

What is Biological Therapy

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, you are likely becoming acquainted with a whole new vocabulary — some of which probably leaves you feeling confused, helpless, and overwhelmed. While it might be tempting to put some of these terms on the back burner, others are more pressing — such as biological therapy. Since it involves your treatment, you want to know what it involves. What is it? What diseases does it treat? And, are there any side effects?

What is biological therapy?

Biological therapy — stimulates the immune system by either suppressing the over-response or activating it. Biological therapy treatment targets the parts of the immune system that are triggering inflammation causing diseases such as auto-immune disorders.

Specific medications used for biological therapy include:

Types of Biological Therapies

There are many types of biological therapies. The most common ones include:

Interleukin 5, 6 (IL-5 and IL-6)

Interleukins are proteins that regulate inflammation and the immune response.

Monoclonal Antibodies

These are antibodies specifically designed to attack proteins that cause the growth of abnormal cells. They are commonly used to treat different types of autoimmune conditions and cancer.

Diseases That Can Be Treated with Biological Therapy

While biological therapy is often used on its own during chemotherapy, it’s also utilized by healthcare providers in conjunction with other medications to treat several illnesses, including:

Side Effects of Biological Therapy

As with any prescription medication, biological therapy has a risk of side effects. They vary from person-to-person and may range from mild to severe. The most common side effects include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Skin rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swelling at the site where the IV was inserted
  • Muscle aches
  • Low blood pressure

If Your Doctor Has Recommended Biological 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 on-staff 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.

Comments