Learning About Questions to Ask When Getting Intravenous (I.V.) Antibiotics at Home

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that help your body fight infection. Although these medicines don't cure all infections, they are generally safe and work very well to treat certain bacterial infections. Antibiotics may be given as a pill. Or they may be given through an intravenous (I.V.) line. An I.V. line is a tube that delivers medicine directly into a vein and bloodstream. People who cannot take pills or who have a more severe infection may get I.V. antibiotics. In some cases, I.V. antibiotics may be taken at an outpatient infusion center or at home.

If your doctor prescribed home I.V. antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of medicine. This will help make sure your infection is cured. It will also help prevent the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

It's important to know as much as possible about the medicines you're taking. Here are some examples of questions you might ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

• What is the name of the medicine?
• What will the medicine do?
• How will I know that this medicine is working? How long will it take before I notice anything?
• What is the next step if this medicine doesn't work?
• Will I need any tests or lab work while I'm on this medicine? If so, how often?

• Why is this the right medicine for me?
• Is there something I can do instead of taking this medicine?
• Is there a medicine that could be better for me?

• Which home infusion company or pharmacy will deliver the antibiotics and supplies?

• Will a home health nurse give me the I.V. antibiotic? Or will they teach me or my caregiver how to give it?
• How long will I need to take it? What if I start to feel better?
• What amount do I take each time (dose)?
• How often should I take it?
• When do I take it (such as morning, evening, before bed, once a day, or other instructions)?
• What if I miss a dose? Do I take 2 doses the next time? Do I take the missed dose right away?

• Who should I call if I need help with my I.V. line or antibiotics?
• How do I flush my I.V. line?
• Who will change my I.V. line dressing, and how often?
• How can I prevent getting an infection from my I.V. line?

• What side effects can I expect, and how soon might they appear?
• Will they go away on their own? How long will it take? Can I do anything to prevent or manage them?
• When should I call about side effects?
• Do any of my medicines cause a bad reaction when taken with another one? Do they interact with another medical condition?

• What else do I need to know?
• Can I take this medicine at the same time as other medicines?
• How do I store this medicine? Do I need to put it in the refrigerator?
• When do I need to see my doctor again?

• Be sure you understand your doctor's instructions.
• Share any concerns you have about taking the medicine. For example, ask if "4 doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.