Infusion Therapy for IBD
Our Services
Infusion therapy is the administering of medications directly into the patient’s vein using an IV line or catheter. At NYGA, we utilize infusion therapy to treat certain patients who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with biologic medications.
Expertise
At NYGA, a board-certified gastroenterologist with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease directly oversees each aspect of your infusion care, unlike at most outpatient facilities. NYGA’s GI experts integrate your medical history, recent blood tests, and infusion history to optimize the timing and dosing of each infusion treatment. This means that you will receive the best possible drug dosing – which can be the difference between a good and unsatisfactory outcome.
Safety
We follow best practices and safety protocols, and we monitor you throughout your visit. Clinical adverse reactions are rare, but our physicians and infusion staff are qualified to recognize and safely manage them. We infuse up to three patients at a time to provide the personalized, focused attention needed to ensure your safety.
Coordination of Care
We take care of everything, including obtaining insurance approvals, scheduling the appointment, obtaining the medication, and arranging blood testing.
Comfort and Privacy
You receive your infusion treatment in a private, quiet, infusion room in our office on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is a method of delivering medication directly into your bloodstream through an IV. For IBD patients, this approach is used to administer biologic drugs that target inflammation more efficiently than oral medications. The infusion medications we currently offer to help manage moderate to severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Infliximab (Remicade® or biosimilars)
- Vedolizumab (Entyvio®)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara® )
- Risankizumab (Skyrizi®)
- Mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh®)
- Guselkumab (Tremfeya®)
How do you know if infusion therapy is right for you?
Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your gastroenterologist may explore other treatment options such as infusion or injectable therapies. These targeted approaches can help manage symptoms and inflammation, and in some cases, patients may begin with infusions and later transition to injectables.
For your convenience, we provide access to an in-office infusion suite, or we can coordinate treatment at an alternate location, such as an outpatient center or even in the comfort of your home. Our goal is to make your care as effective, comfortable, and accessible as possible.
What are the benefits of infusion therapy for IBD?
As one of the leading IBD practices in the country, we are proud to offer expert, patient-centered care for those living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Infusion therapy can help reduce inflammation, promote long-term remission, and improve quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing fast results.
How long does infusion therapy take?
Most infusion sessions take between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the specific medication. Patients typically relax in a comfortable setting during treatment and can return to normal activities afterward.
How do I know if I should get infusion therapy?
Your gastroenterologist will consider your symptoms, disease severity, and treatment history to determine if infusion therapy is appropriate. Routine monitoring helps ensure it remains effective and well tolerated.
Does insurance cover infusion therapy?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and those offered by commercial providers, provide coverage for infusion therapy. Our NYGA team can help verify your benefits and coordinate prior authorizations to minimize out-of-pocket costs.