What You Need to Know If Your Doctor Is Recommending Infusion Treatment for Your RA

Rheumatoid arthritis can be tough to manage, predominantly because every patient is different, and there is no single treatment that works for everyone. Usually, doctors will first prescribe some immune regulators and oral pain relievers. But if these methods do not provide enough relief, they may then recommend infusion therapy. Here's what you should know about infusion therapy as an RA patient.

What is an infusion?

An infusion is basically an IV treatment. Your doctor or practitioner will put a needle into a vein in your arm. A liquid solution will then be dripped into that needle; it will slowly enter your bloodstream. You'll get to sit or lie down and relax for about 30 to 60 minutes during the treatment. You won't feel much, aside from the initial pinch of the needle when it goes in.

Doctors can infuse all sorts of different medications and nutrients, so infusion therapy is not limited to RA patients. However, there are specific drugs that are used in infusions for RA patients.

What drugs are infused for RA patients?

There are a couple of different medications used. You may be given just one of them, or you may be given several. If you are given more than one medication, they'll usually be combined in the same infusion so you only have to sit through one session.

Abatacept is one medication that is commonly infused for the management of RA. It helps fight inflammation, which is at the root of most of the pain RA causes. Another common drug is tocilizumab, which you can take to block the production of certain inflammatory proteins.

What are the benefits of infusion therapy over oral medications?

In other words, if you were not getting results from oral medications, what makes infusions so much different? For one, when you have an infusion, the medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream. It does not have to make its way through your digestive tract and be absorbed like an oral medication. With an infusion, different medications can be used — ones that are not even able to be taken orally. If you are someone who struggles to take your medication regularly, infusion therapy also removes this burden.

If your doctor is recommending an infusion for RA treatment, you can proceed ahead confidently. Infusions are really helpful for RA patients, and there are safe and effective medications that can be delivered in this manner. If you have further questions about how infusion can help you, contact a health care clinic like the Idaho Arthritis Center.