19 Jan What is a Biologic Infusion?
What is a Biologic Infusion?
A biological infusion is a drug derived a living tissues that are given intravenously over a period of time to treat autoimmune diseases.
In the United States, nearly 24 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease. Over 80 autoimmune diseases are currently known to science, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, and irritable bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
While some of these illnesses are relatively easy to diagnose, many are rare, with various symptoms that can make them hard to identify.
Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack healthy tissues, cells, and organs. What causes the development of these rogue antibodies is still a mystery, which has made finding cures and treatments for autoimmune disorders a daunting task.
Through ongoing research and development, powerful intravenous drugs known as biologics were created to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans with autoimmune diseases.
What Is a Biologic Infusion?
Biologics refers to any drugs that are made from living tissues like sugars, DNA, and proteins. Biologics can range from common and well-known injectable drugs such as insulin or infusions like Ocrevus, Remicade, and Tepezza. Where a biological infusion differs from drugs like insulin is that infusion normally has to be given intravenously over a period of time.
Are Biologic Infusions More Effective Than Other Medications?
Autoimmune diseases are often life-threatening or debilitating and require life-long therapies and treatments to minimize symptoms. Traditional oral medications, injectables, or therapies may be enough to ease your symptoms. However, first line treatments may not effectively alleviate your symptoms.
Autoimmune diseases often damage the body’s ability to absorb medications through the digestive tract, which can prevent oral medications from working properly. Additionally, as you try other medications, you may not see any improvement in your condition.
This makes biologics an ideal treatment option if you are living with severe symptoms that are not responsive to other courses of treatment.
What does a Biologic Infusion Treat?
There is a wide variety of biologic infusions that treat inflammatory diseases including thyroid eye disease, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and colitis, lupus, gout, immunodeficiency, and arthritis to name a few. Biologic infusions that can treat these conditions include
What Are the Side Effects of Biologic Infusions
As with any medication, biologics also come with side effects. Upon being prescribed a biologic, your doctor should review possible side effects with you. The most common side effects include:
- Injection site reactions
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Rash
- Swelling
- Flushing
- Increased risk of infection
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Severe side effects can include:
- Severe allergic reaction
- Swelling of hands and face
- Chest Pain
- Trouble breathing
- Abnormal blood pressure
- Fever or Chills
What Happens When My Doctor Prescribes Biological Infusion Therapy?
When your doctor prescribes a biological infusion therapy, their office will refer you to an infusion provider for treatment if they do not do infusions in-house.
Traditionally, biologic infusions are given by a medical professional in a hospital or infusion center setting. However, if you are unhappy with your experience at a hospital or a traditional infusion center, you can request that your doctor refer you elsewhere.
Recently, Ambulatory Infusion Centers (AICs) have been established throughout the country that provides a more affordable, streamlined, and personalized infusion experience. During the referral and authorization process at an AIC, staff will help you schedule your first appointment and help you find any co-pay assistance programs available to you.
Prior you will be greeted by a nurse who will take your vitals and ensure you are feeling well. They will verify your identity, the infusion therapy you will be receiving, and verify the best route for your injection.
Depending on your injection, you will likely be at the AIC for a few hours, but you will have access to snacks, drinks, television, and wifi. A caretaker, family member, or friend will be allowed to sit with you while you receive your infusion.
Once your therapy is completed, you will be removed from your IV, and the nurse will monitor you for at least 30 minutes to ensure you are not experiencing any side effects.
Pure Infusion Suites currently has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Our founders created Pure Infusion Suites to make the infusion process comfortable, streamlined, and affordable.
Our expertly trained staff will be with you throughout the infusion process to ensure easy referrals and insurance authorizations and reduce the cost of your infusion where we can. At Pure Infusion Suites, you will skip the long lines at the hospital and be provided with your suite, where you can enjoy your favorite shows, snacks, and food during your infusion appointment. If you have been prescribed Tepezza and are looking for a patient-focused infusion experience, call us at 855.550.3358
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