Can Urgent Care Give IV Fluids for Dehydration?

Many different types of medications can be given by IV, from analgesics to antibiotics. Medications administered by this method include:

Chemotherapy drugs, such as:

• Doxorubicin
• Vincristine
• Cisplatin
• Paclitaxel

Antibiotics, such as:

• Vancomycin
• Meropenem
• Gentamicin

Antifungal drugs, such as:

• Micafungin
• Amphotericin

• Pain relief medications, such as:

• Hydromorphone
• Morphine

Drugs for low blood pressure, such as:

• Dopamine
• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine
• Dobutamine
• Immunoglobulin medications (IVIG)

IV injections are one of the quickest and most controlled ways to deliver medications or other substances into the body and are often the preferred method of administration used by medical professionals when:

• A person needs a life-saving medication
• A person needs a very accurate dose
• A person needs a large dose of medication over an extended period of time (the dose can be controlled to be released over a specific duration)
• Taking medication by mouth is ineffective
• A person would otherwise require multiple injections
• A person cannot eat or drink

There are many benefits of IV, including:

• Provides the most complete drug availability
• Comes with a minimal delay of efficacy
• Constant plasma concentrations can be obtained at a required level by controlling the administration rate
• Unexpected side effects that occur during the period of delivery can be halted by stopping the infusion
• Compounds poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract may be administered intravenously to be more readily absorbed by the body
• Compounds that cause a significant amount of pain when administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously may present no issues when delivered intravenously, presenting a unique advantage for this method of delivery

Saline, also referred to as a saline solution, is the most commonly used intravenous fluid, and is composed of a sodium chloride-water solution. Although roughly 60 percent of the body is made up of water, if it is directly injected into the blood, it might cause dilution of essential electrolytes. If water was directly injected into the bloodstream it would also result in an osmotic effect in blood cells, causing them to rapidly expand to the point of membrane rupture. This results in the cells’ contents spilling into the plasma, which can cause damage, and if substantial enough, may result in death. A small amount of water injected directly into the blood would not cause lasting harm, but if a large amount of water was, it could result in catastrophic damage. In general, the more water injected into the blood, the higher the number of damaged cells, resulting in a higher risk of permanent complications.

Water is mixed in a solution of sodium and chlorine of roughly the same concentration as blood plasma to avoid harm caused by plain distilled water on blood cells. Saline solution is specially formulated to match the electrolytes present in blood plasma which causes less of an osmotic effect than other IV fluids. 

If you require medications or fluids delivered intravenously, come to Priority Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic today. Our medical professionals can help you restore proper hydration or absorb a higher amount of your medication with our IV therapy. We serve patients from Ellington CT, Unionville CT, East Haven CT, Cromwell CT, Oxford, CT and Newington, CT, and BEYOND!