At a glance
Infusion therapy, also called IV (intravenous) therapy, is a treatment that delivers fluids, medications, or nutrients directly into a vein through a small plastic tube called a cannula. Because the substance goes straight into the bloodstream, the body receives it faster and more completely than it would from a tablet or capsule.
A nurse or doctor inserts the cannula, usually into a vein on the hand or forearm, then connects it to a bag of fluid that drips in at a controlled rate. The type of fluid depends entirely on why the treatment is needed: it might be a simple salt solution to replace lost fluid, a concentrated nutrient mix to feed someone who cannot eat, or a specific medication such as an antibiotic or a medicine to control pain.
Medical Condition
Doctors choose IV therapy when the oral route is too slow, unreliable, or simply not possible. This covers a wide range of situations, from acute emergencies to long-term chronic conditions that require regular infusions.
- Severe dehydration (serious fluid loss) caused by vomiting, diarrhoea, heatstroke, or bleeding
- Serious infections, including sepsis (a life-threatening whole-body infection response), where high-dose antibiotics must reach the bloodstream immediately
- Conditions that prevent normal eating or drinking, such as severe nausea after surgery or a blocked digestive tract
- Malnutrition or inability to absorb nutrients through the gut, requiring parenteral nutrition (feeding directly into the vein)
- Pain crises, such as severe migraine or kidney stone pain, that do not respond quickly enough to tablets
- Certain cancers treated with chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs) given by infusion
- Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition where the immune system attacks the joints) or multiple sclerosis, treated with biological agents delivered by infusion
- Iron deficiency anaemia (low red blood cell count due to lack of iron) when the stomach cannot tolerate iron tablets
- Heart failure or kidney failure requiring careful fluid and electrolyte (salt-balance) correction
IV therapy is not suitable for every situation. Doctors will usually prefer tablets, capsules, or injections when the patient can swallow safely, the medication is well absorbed by the gut, and there is no need for an immediate effect.
- Mild to moderate infections that respond well to oral antibiotics
- Stable chronic conditions where the patient tolerates oral medication without difficulty
- Patients with poor vein access and no clinical urgency, where an alternative route is safer
- Situations where the risk of a line infection (infection caused by the cannula itself) outweighs the benefit of IV delivery
Risks & Complications
IV therapy is generally one of the safer procedures in medicine, but inserting something directly into a blood vessel does carry recognised risks that the care team monitors closely.
- Bruising or bleeding at the insertion site, especially in patients on blood thinners
- Phlebitis (inflammation of the vein), causing redness, warmth, and aching along the arm
- Infiltration, where fluid leaks out of the vein into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling and mild discomfort
- Local infection at the cannula site, which can usually be treated by removing the cannula and applying a short course of antibiotics
- Air embolism (a bubble of air entering the vein), a rare event that modern IV equipment is designed to prevent
- Fluid overload, where too much fluid is given too quickly, putting strain on the heart and lungs; this is more of a concern in patients with heart or kidney disease
- Allergic reaction to the medication or fluid being infused, ranging from mild rash to a rare severe reaction
- Electrolyte imbalance (disruption in the body's salt levels) if the wrong type or amount of fluid is given over time
- Catheter-related bloodstream infection, a more serious complication more common with central lines (catheters placed in large, deep veins) than with short peripheral cannulas
Preparation & Procedure
Preparation depends heavily on why the IV therapy is needed and whether it is planned in advance or started as an emergency. For planned infusions, such as chemotherapy or biological therapy, the medical team usually runs a set of checks beforehand.
For scheduled infusion sessions, doctors typically ask patients to stay well hydrated in the days before, unless the specific medication requires otherwise. Some infusion medications require patients to pause certain drugs, such as blood thinners or immunosuppressants (medicines that reduce immune activity), before arriving. Alcohol is best avoided in the 24 hours before infusions that affect the liver or immune system. Smoking affects blood flow and can make vein access harder.
Tests commonly run before or during a course of IV therapy include blood counts, kidney function tests, liver function tests, electrolyte levels, and sometimes imaging or specific markers depending on the condition being treated. For first-time biological infusions, a tuberculosis (TB) screen is often required.
The typical steps during the procedure itself are as follows, though the exact sequence varies by hospital and by the type of infusion:
- A nurse checks your identity, allergy history, and vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature) before starting
- The skin over the chosen vein is cleaned with an antiseptic (germ-killing) solution
- A thin cannula is inserted into the vein and secured with a small dressing
- The cannula is flushed with a small amount of saline (salt water) to confirm it is correctly placed and the vein is patent (open and flowing)
- The infusion bag or syringe pump is connected and the flow rate is set according to the prescription
- The nurse monitors you at regular intervals during the infusion for any signs of a reaction, checking the site and your vital signs
- Once the infusion is complete, the cannula is either removed or capped for the next session, depending on your treatment plan
- A final set of vital signs is recorded and you are observed for a short period before being discharged, if the infusion is given as an outpatient
Aftercare
Recovery after a single IV session is usually quick, but the aftercare plan depends on whether the infusion was a one-off emergency measure or part of a longer treatment course. Most patients who receive outpatient infusions are observed for 30 minutes to an hour after the drip ends before going home.
- Keep the cannula site clean and dry for at least 24 hours if the cannula has been left in; watch for redness, swelling, or discharge, and tell your nurse straight away if any of these appear
- Drink plenty of fluids after most infusions, unless your doctor has set a fluid restriction because of heart or kidney conditions
- Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity with the arm that was used for the infusion on the day of treatment
- Rest if you feel tired; fatigue after certain infusions, particularly chemotherapy or biological agents, can last several days
- Attend all scheduled follow-up blood tests, as these confirm whether the treatment is working and whether the kidneys, liver, and blood counts remain normal
- For patients on a course of repeated infusions, the care team will advise on the timing of the next session and any symptoms to watch for between visits
- Report any new symptoms promptly: fever, chills, rash, swelling, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat after going home can all be signs that need medical attention
- If a central line or port (a device implanted under the skin to give long-term IV access) has been used, the care team will provide specific instructions on how to keep it clean and when to come in for maintenance flushes
Cost & What Determines It
The price of IV therapy varies enormously because it is not a single fixed procedure. It ranges from a brief rehydration session to months of specialised biological or chemotherapy infusions, and each component is priced differently depending on the setting and the country.
- Type and complexity of the infusion: a simple saline drip costs a fraction of what a biological agent or chemotherapy drug costs per session
- Duration and number of sessions: a single acute infusion is priced very differently from a planned course of weekly or monthly infusions over several months
- Hospital class and country: private specialist hospitals in major cities generally charge more than general hospitals or outpatient infusion centres
- Infusion room vs inpatient ward: receiving an infusion in a day-procedure unit costs less than staying overnight in a hospital bed
- Pre-infusion tests required: blood counts, kidney and liver function panels, imaging, or disease-specific markers each add to the bill
- Specialised devices: a peripheral cannula is inexpensive, but a PICC line (a longer catheter placed in a deep arm vein) or an implanted port used for long-term access carries its own insertion fee and ongoing maintenance costs
- Nursing time and monitoring: some infusions require close observation by a nurse for several hours, which is reflected in the facility fee
- Medication costs: the drug itself is often the largest single cost driver, and prices differ significantly between countries for the same molecule
Hospital packages for infusion therapy usually include the infusion room or bed fee, nursing care during the session, the cannula and giving set (the tubing and bag), and a standard observation period afterward. Items that are often billed separately include the medication itself, pre-infusion blood tests, radiology requested on the same day, anti-nausea or allergy pre-medications, and any overnight stay required because of a reaction.
BPJS Kesehatan and most Indonesian private insurance policies do not cover medical treatment received abroad, so patients travelling for IV therapy typically pay entirely out of pocket or rely on international private health insurance that specifically covers overseas treatment. Asking the hospital for a written cost estimate, broken down by session and by item, before making any travel plans is the most effective way to avoid unexpected bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions of IV therapy will I need?
The number of sessions depends on what is being treated and how your body responds. A short illness or dehydration may need only one or two sessions, while a chronic condition or nutritional deficiency often requires a course of several infusions spread over days or weeks. Your doctor will set a schedule after reviewing your diagnosis and how you feel after each session.
What does IV therapy feel like during the session?
Most people feel a brief, sharp pinch when the needle is inserted into the vein, and then little or nothing for the rest of the session. You may notice a cool or slightly pressured feeling as the fluid flows in. If you feel burning, swelling, or unusual pain at the needle site at any point, let the nurse know straight away so they can adjust the line.
How soon will I feel better after IV therapy?
Many people notice improvement within a few hours of finishing a session, especially when the drip is correcting dehydration or delivering nutrients quickly into the bloodstream. How fast you respond depends on the underlying condition, the type of fluid or medication used, and your general health. Some conditions require several sessions before a clear improvement is felt.
How much does IV therapy cost?
The cost varies based on the type of fluid or medication going into the drip, how many sessions are prescribed, and the class of hospital or clinic you choose. A single rehydration session is priced very differently from a multi-session course that includes specialised medications or vitamins. Requesting a written estimate from the hospital before you book is the most reliable way to know what to budget.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
