.svg?iar=0&hash=F6049510E33E4E6D8196C26CCC0A64A4){kind=logo}
/hfh-logo-main--white.svg?iar=0&hash=ED491CBFADFB7670FAE94559C98D7798){kind=logo}
Infusion Therapy
Powerful medications to treat IBD.
Infusion therapy involves giving medications through an intravenous (IV) line at one of our centers, rather than oral medications (pills) or injections you or a loved one can do at home. There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend infusion therapy to treat your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD):
The medication you need may not be as effective in pill form
You may need to receive the medication in a controlled setting
You may no longer be responding to other medication types
If you need infusion therapy for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, our team is here to help. We use the latest, most effective infusion medications to treat IBD.
You’ll need regular appointments every few weeks for your infusion therapy. The exact schedule depends on the specific medication you take. We offer convenient scheduling for your infusion treatments, including after-hours appointments.
Infusion therapy medications we offer
You and your doctor will decide together what medications are right for you and your condition. Some of the many infusion therapy medications we provide include:
-
Inflectra®
We use Inflectra (infliximab, also known as Remicade®) for the treatment and maintenance of:
- Remission of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis that doesn’t respond to conventional therapy
- Fistulizing Crohn’s disease (fistulas are abnormal channels between two loops of intestine or between the intestine and another structure, such as the skin)
Adults and children over 6 can receive Inflectra therapy. Infusions take about two hours to complete, and you’ll likely receive them every eight weeks.
-
Stelara®We use Stelara (ustekinumab) to treat adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. Stelara works by targeting proteins that researchers believe are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation.
You’ll start Stelara therapy with a one-time infusion that takes about an hour to complete. After that, you’ll continue with injections of Stelara every eight weeks. -
Entyvio®
We use Entyvio (vedolizumab) to treat adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Entyvio works by preventing too many white blood cells from entering the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can lower chronic inflammation.
You’ll receive your Entyvio infusion over about 30 minutes. Your doctor will monitor you during and after your infusion treatment to watch for any potential side effects. -
MethotrexateMethotrexate is one of a class of medications called antimetabolites. These medications interfere with the body’s normal chemical processes, such as DNA production and cell division. Researchers have found that methotrexate is useful for treating some cases of Crohn’s disease.
If your doctor recommends that you start methotrexate therapy, it may take several weeks before you start seeing improvements in your symptoms. -
Cimzia®We use Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) to reduce the symptoms of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in adults who haven’t found relief with other treatments. Cimzia is a partial antibody that is bound to a chemical called polyethylene glycol (PEG), which helps it stay in your body longer.
Your Cimzia therapy will start with an injection every two weeks for your first three injections. Once you start seeing the full results of the therapy, you’ll likely receive a Cimzia infusion every four weeks. -
Tysabri®
We use Tysabri (natalizumab) to induce and maintain remission in adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. If you have evidence of inflammation and either don’t respond well to conventional treatments or can’t tolerate them, your doctor may recommend Tysabri therapy.
You’ll receive an infusion of Tysabri every four weeks. It will take an hour for you to receive your infusion.