At Encore Infusion, we provide IV therapy for various types of kidney disease and the associated anemia and inflammation that often accompanies them, as well as IV infusions to prevent transplant rejection. Infusion therapy for certain chronic kidney conditions can help reduce inflammation, pain, the need for dialysis and possibly even transplant.

Healthy kidneys filter and eliminate waste from the blood, including the toxic byproducts of digestion, medications and chemicals to which we are exposed. When these items are filtered from the blood, they are removed from the body via urination. Kidneys also produce hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells, regulate your blood pressure and control the metabolism of calcium.

Kidney disease occurs when one or more of these functions slows or ceases, which can happen because of injury, inadequate blood flow, severe dehydration, pregnancy complications, sepsis, enlarged prostate, urine backup and certain autoimmune disorders. Symptoms of improperly functioning kidneys may include weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, swollen ankles and difficulty sleeping. Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to renal failure and death.

Although there are no infusion therapy medications that have been developed specifically for chronic kidney disease, there are many currently in use that are successful in reducing the anemia that often occurs with late-stage kidney disease, high potassium levels, water retention, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis and more.

One effective, often-prescribed IV therapy medication is Rituximab. This infused drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Hodgkin’s lymphoma as well as chronic kidney disease. It reduces the number of white blood cells called B lymphocytes, which are responsible for creating antibodies that
cause kidneys to malfunction. This reduction can last between six and nine months per IV infusion. Rituximab, however, can take several weeks following infusion therapy to become effective, and often physicians will monitor antibody levels using blood and urine sample testing.

Some patients report that side effects of Rituximab IV therapy can include fever, chills, tremors, shortness of breath, rash and low blood pressure. Less common side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, muscle spasms and abnormal heart rate. However, anecdotal reports are that the IV infused medication’s
side effects can be much less debilitating than the symptoms of kidney disease itself. Lower doses of the medication per infusion session can also reduce the medication’s side effects.

At Encore Infusion, we provide infusion therapy both for patients with chronic conditions and those seeking IV therapy for overall health and wellness. Our team is professional, compassionate and very knowledgeable and our centers are comfortable, convenient and hospital-grade hygienic.

If you’re interested in infusion therapy for kidney disease, another chronic condition or general wellness, please reach out. We can answer many questions with just a phone call and can also help you navigate the physician referral process, health insurance matters and more.