Infusion Services

A patient receiving infusion services for a GI issue.

Austin Gastroenterology provides infusion services for patients receiving ENTYVIO®, REMICADE®, STELARA®, SKYRIZI® and iron infusions. The infusion center also provides vitamin B12 injections, and PPD skin testing.

Our infusion centers are a convenient alternative from the hospital setting.

Both infusion centers are staffed with registered nurses who have been specially trained in delivering IV medications for inflammatory bowel disease and iron-deficiency anemia. Because most visits can be 2 hours or longer, we offer a comfortable environment that includes individual recliner chairs, cable TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

ENTYVIO® Infusions

ENTYVIO® (vedolizumab) is a prescription biologic treatment that is approved to treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. ENTYVIO® blocks certain inflammation-causing cells from entering the gut.

ENTYVIO® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to α4β7 integrin and blocks the interaction of α4β7 integrin with mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) and inhibits the migration of memory T-lymphocytes across the endothelium into inflamed gastrointestinal parenchymal tissue.

ENTYVIO® may be recommended by your physician if you are experiencing moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease and other medications were unsuccessful. Talk to your physician to learn more about ENTYVIO® and to see if you are a candidate.

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from ENTYVIO®, they will refer you to our infusion center for intravenous administration of ENTYVIO®. Each treatment lasts about 2 hours. After your first dose, you will receive the next two doses at 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Subsequent infusions are administered every 8 weeks.

Infliximab Infusions

REMICADE® or AVSOLA® (Infliximab) infusion therapy is a biologic treatment used for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease) in adults and children. Biologics are laboratory-produced antibodies that stop certain proteins in the body from causing inflammation. Infliximab can help patients achieve and maintain remission, which is defined as the resolution of symptoms by controlling inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Unlike other medications that may affect the whole body, Infliximab directly targets the factors responsible for IBD, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein that promotes inflammation in the intestine, as well as other organs and tissues.

That’s why Infliximab is called an anti-TNF agent. Not only does it decrease the symptoms of IBD, but it also helps heal the intestine.

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from this medication, they will refer you to our infusion center for intravenous administration of REMICADE® or AVSOLA®. Each treatment lasts 2 to 4 hours. After the first dose, you will receive the next two doses at 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Subsequent infusions are administered every 6 to 8 weeks.

After starting infusion therapy with REMICADE® or AVSOLA®, some may experience a rapid improvement in symptoms, while for others it might take up to 8 weeks.

SKYRIZI® Infusions

SKYRIZI® is a medication approved for treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease in adults. It works by targeting a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) that contributes to inflammation in the body. By targeting IL-23, SKYRIZI® can help lessen the body's inflammatory response. This can lead to significant symptom relief within 4 weeks, including less abdominal pain and fewer bowel movements.

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from SKYRIZI®, they will refer you to our infusion center. The first three doses of SKYRIZI® are administered intravenously on weeks 0, 4, and 8. After these IV infusions, SKYRIZI® can be administered by subcutaneous injection at home every 8 weeks following proper training from a healthcare professional.

STELARA® Infusions

STELARA® is a biologic medication prescribed to treat Crohn's disease. Biologics are a class of drugs derived from living organisms that target specific molecules in the body. STELARA® works by targeting two specific proteins, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23), which are believed to be involved in the inflammatory process caused by Crohn's disease.

If your healthcare provider thinks you'd benefit from STELARA®, they'll refer you to our infusion centers. STELARA® starts with a one-time IV infusion that provides the specified amount of medication based on your body weight. After the first IV infusion, subcutaneous injections are administered every 8 weeks.

Iron Infusions

Iron is a mineral produced by the human body. It is one of the components of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that helps blood carry oxygen throughout the body.

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body doesn’t make enough iron to produce hemoglobin. If you have this condition, you will need to supplement your body with iron. If you can’t tolerate oral iron supplements or you need to replace iron quickly, your doctor may refer you for intravenous (IV) iron infusions.

Iron infusions may take up to several hours to administer, usually over the course of several visits until your iron levels are correct. After starting iron infusion therapy, it may take from 1 to 4 weeks before you start to feel better.

Infusion Center in Austin, TX

Managing your chronic GI condition is made easier with the help of infusion services. At Austin Gastroenterology, our board-certified physicians and GI care professionals work with you on an individual level, ensuring you get the highest-quality care tailored to your unique needs. Take the first step toward a healthier life today and learn more about how infusion services can benefit you. Schedule an appointment today by sending us a message on Klara or using our secure online appointment request form. With 18 locations in the greater Austin area, you can find compassionate and comprehensive GI care close to home.