Intravenous injection is the fastest type of injection to obtain specific doses of drugs, because the drug is injected directly into the bloodstream, and intravenous injections are usually given in hospitals and specialized centers. In this article, we will learn about this type of injection, its benefits, and its harms.

Definition of intravenous injection

Intravenous medications, in general, are drugs that are injected directly into the bloodstream through a needle or through a special tube (intravenous catheter or cannula).

Intravenous infusions are usually used for short-term needs, such as being used to obtain certain medications such as painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-emetics and anti-nausea after surgeries in hospitals.

Indications for intravenous injection

Intravenous injections are one of the fastest ways to obtain drugs and other substances, and doctors and health care providers may use them in the following cases:

• In emergency situations when the patient needs a life-saving medication immediately, such as heart attacks, poisoning, or strokes.
• The patient’s need for a very specific and accurate dose of medication.
• The patient’s need for a specific dose of the drug for a specific period of time.
• If other methods of obtaining the drug are not suitable for the patient.
• When the patient needs multiple doses, as in some chronic diseases.
• The patient’s inability to eat or drink, and his need for intravenous fluids.
• Some medicines require injections, as they are not suitable for oral administration because they are broken down in the stomach by digestive enzymes and acid, which makes them useless.

Types of intravenous injections

There are two known types of intravenous injections:

1. Direct IV Bolus

It is in which a syringe is inserted directly into a vein to obtain a single dose of medication.

2. IV infusion

It is a controlled intravenous injection method, where medication or fluids are injected in certain doses within a certain time range through intravenous catheters, and are divided into:

• Drip infusion: In this method, gravity is relied upon to deliver a specific amount of medicine or fluids at a specific time while controlling the amount of medicine. The medicine package is suspended and dripped through a special tube into the intravenous catheter and then into the vein.
• Pump infusion: It is a device found in hospitals, and is used to control the dose of medicine or liquid to the intravenous catheter to be sent accurately and precisely in a slow and steady manner.

Intravenous injection sites

The best areas of the body to give these injections are:

• In certain veins on the back of the hand.
• wrist veins
• veins within the elbow.
• Saphenous vein in the ankle.
• The saphenous vein in the knee.
• Superficial temporal vein.

But We stress the need not to give this injection yourself and go to the hospital when it is necessary to take it.

Medicines used intravenously

There are many drugs that can be injected intravenously based on the patient’s condition, and below we will show you the most common drugs:

• Chemotherapy for cancer patients such as septaline and vincristine.
• Some antibiotics such as gentamicin and vancomycin.
• Antifungal medicines such as amphotericin.
• Some pain relievers.
• Medications to treat low blood pressure.
• Medicines to treat clots.
• immunoglobulin medications.

Benefits of intravenous injection

One of the most important advantages and benefits of direct intravenous injection is the delivery of the specified dose through the vein very quickly so that its effect begins immediately, and the IV infusion type has the following:

• The ability to control the dose and speed of delivery.
• The possibility of injecting large amounts of medication over time.

Intravenous injection risks

According to the sources, the intravenous injection is considered safe if it is given correctly, but it carries some risks, some of which are mild, and some of which are serious.

• Although the drug dose can be obtained quickly, side effects can also occur quickly, especially allergy symptoms, so allergy tests must be performed first.
• Infection at the injection site, and to avoid this, sterile equipment must be used.
• vein infections.
• Irritations in the surrounding tissues.
• Bruising at the injection site.
• Medication leakage.
• Air embolism, due to wrong intravenous injection, which is air bubbles within the bloodstream that may reach the heart and lung, and prevent the blood from flowing properly, and is considered an emergency.
• Venous clots.

In summary, intravenous injection is one of the fastest ways to get the effect of a drug dose, and the choice of the type of injection depends on the patient’s health condition, the type of medication or solution required, the necessity of obtaining the drug urgently, the time period required to inject the drug, and other factors that the doctor determines. based on it.