Infusion vs. Injection: What’s the Best Form of Treatment?
With advanced therapies for chronic and complex conditions, how medication is delivered matters. That’s because drug delivery methods can affect treatment effectiveness, possible side effects, patient comfort, and long-term outcomes.
With that, many medications available today give patients the option of receiving the drug via an infusion or injection.
While both methods can be highly effective, they differ in how they’re administered, how the body absorbs them, and what kind of experience you can expect.
Finding out how, with an insightful look at:
This guide walks you through key considerations in less than ~4 minutes. If you need answers specific to your situation or it’s time to book a medical infusion (or injection), simply reach out to our experienced team.
Infuse vs. Inject: What’s the Difference?
Not all medications are created or delivered the same way. When looking at drug injection versus infusion specifically:
Infused medications are administered intravenously through an IV drip over at least 30 to 60 minutes (and, sometimes, for a few hours or longer).
Offering precise dosing control, infusions can steadily deliver a drug into a patient’s system, maximizing its effect and, often, limiting side effects.
Injected medications are administered subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into a muscle), using a syringe or auto-injector. Fast and convenient, injections may be suitable for drugs with steady absorption profiles or less infusion risk.
With some medications, initial doses may need to be delivered via infusion, with the choice of injection vs. infusion only applying to maintenance doses.
For some patients, deciding between an infusion vs. injection can come down to personal preference.
For others, medical factors can make one method more suitable than the other. These factors could include the drug’s formulation, dosage requirements, or how it's absorbed and processed by the body
Injection vs. Infusion Pros & Cons
Each method of medication administration can have distinct advantages and unique possible drawbacks.
Understanding the trade-offs can help both patients and providers align treatment choices with lifestyle, clinical needs, and comfort levels.
To that end, the table below highlights the pros and potential cons of infusions vs. injections.
| Route | Pros | Possible Cons | When It’s an Ideal Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infusion |
Precise dosing control Steady drug levels Good when injections could have adverse reactions |
Can be more time-consuming Not for home or self-administration |
You’re receiving complex biologics. You need professional monitoring for potential infusion reactions. You require stable dosing regimens. |
| Injection |
Possible at-home administration Less clinic time Faster drug delivery |
Need to alternate injection sites Less control over absorption Risk of injection-site reactions, like skin irritation |
Self-administration is preferred, and there’s minimal risk of side effects. Self-administration does not interfere with insurance coverage. |
Infusion vs. Injection: Drug‑Specific Comparison Table
Different medications are designed for different delivery methods.
The table below highlights how various drugs are administered and what patients can generally expect with each.
| Drug | Infusion Details | Injection Details |
|---|---|---|
| Actemra (tocilizumab) | Actemra infusions are typically a 60-minute IV therapy session every 2 to 4 weeks. | Actemra injections are typically administered every other week. |
| B12 (cyanocobalamin) | N/A | B12 injection frequency varies by dose & the condition being treated. |
| Benlysta (belimumab) | Benlysta infusions are typically 1 hour, with 3 initial doses every 2 weeks and maintenance doses every 4 weeks thereafter. | Benlysta injections are typically administered once a week or once every two weeks. |
| Cimzia (certolizumab) | N/A | Cimzia injections typically start with 2 initial doses within the first 2 weeks and maintenance doses every 4 weeks thereafter. |
| Entyvio (vedolizumab) | Entyvio infusions are typically 30 minutes long, with 3 initial doses (at weeks 0, 2, and 6) and maintenance doses every 8 weeks thereafter. | Entyvio injections may be started after 2 initial doses have been administered via infusion and at the discretion of healthcare providers. These injections typically occur at 2-week intervals. |
| Injectafer (Ferric Carboxymaltose) | Injectafer infusions are typically 30 minutes long, administered as 2 infusions 7 days apart. | Injectafer injections are also administered in 2 doses, given at least 7 days apart. |
| Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) | Ocrevus infusions are typically 2 to 4 hours long, with 2 initial doses in the first 2 weeks and maintenance doses every 6 months thereafter. | N/A |
| Orencia (abatacept) | Orencia infusions are typically 30 minutes long, with 3 initial doses (at weeks 0, 2, and 4) and maintenance doses every 4 weeks thereafter. | Orencia injections are administered once a week after 3 initial infusion doses. |
| Prolia (denosumab) | N/A | Prolia injections are administered every 6 months. |
| Remicade (infliximab) | Remicade infusions are typically 4 hours long, with 3 initial doses (at weeks 0, 2, and 6) and maintenance doses every 8 weeks thereafter. | N/A |
| Rituxan (rituximab) | Rituxan infusions are typically 6 hours long, with 2 initial doses in the first two weeks and maintenance doses every 6 months thereafter. | Rituxan injections may be started after an initial infusion dose, with intervals varying according to the condition treated. |
| Simponi (golimumab) | Simponi infusions are typically 1 hour long, with 2 initial doses in the first month and maintenance doses every 8 weeks thereafter. | Simponi injections may be started after initial infusion doses, with once-a-month maintenance injections thereafter. |
| Tysabri (natalizumab) | Tysabri infusions are typically 1 hour every 4 to 6 weeks. | N/A |
| Xolair (omalizumab) | N/A | Xolair injections are administered every 2 to 4 weeks, based on dose & the condition treated. |
Infusion vs. Injection: How to Choose the Right Option
The best choice for you or your patient can start to come to light with a few questions, including (but not necessarily limited to) the following.
-
If there’s a need for strict control or safety monitoring, infusions can be better than injections.
-
Some injections are formulated to last longer (e.g., extended-release), while infusions may be preferred for drugs that need precise, time-controlled delivery.
-
Infusion appointments are typically scheduled and supervised, which can help ensure patients stay on track with their treatment plans.
This can be crucial with complex treatments or ongoing care.
-
Infusion can allow for immediate interventions.
-
Convenience, control, cost, and insurance coverage can all come into play here.
The conversations that arise from these questions can help guide a more personalized treatment plan that balances clinical needs with lifestyle preferences, safety, and long-term goals.
Next Steps
Ultimately, there’s a lot to consider when you’re deciding between drug infusions or injections.
That’s why it’s generally best for patients and providers to work together to find the ideal choice—and to monitor responses over time, so adjustments can be made, as needed, to promote optimal safety, comfort, and effectiveness.
