Infusion Services

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. Located at 7951 Shoal Creek Blvd, Bldg 2, Suite 110, the center is open Monday – Friday from 6 am – 4:30 pm. Our Bee Cave infusion center is located at 3944 Ranch Rd 620 S Bldg 8, Suite 104, and is open Monday - Friday from 6 am - 4 pm.

Both infusion center 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.

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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.

What to Expect

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from ENTYVIO, he or she 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.

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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.

What to Expect

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from this medication, he or she 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.

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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.

What to Expect

If your doctor thinks you can benefit from Skyrizi, he or she 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.

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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 desase.

What to Expect

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 providers the specified amount of medication based on your body weight. After the first IV infusion, subcutaneous injections are administered every 8 weeks.

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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.

What to Expect

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.