Parenteral drug delivery has been the method of choice for many doctors in the U.S. The ability to pump large amounts of medication in a small amount of space has made this form of delivery the fastest and most economical method for treating patients with many ailments around the world.
Large volume parenteral is defined as a single dose of adequate sterile preparation, often in conjunction with other medications or IV fluids, for administering pharmacological indications. A single dose of sterile preparation is usually enough to treat a patient; however, LVPs are useful in the relief of pain, swelling, and certain types of side effects associated with certain medications (such as those used to treat hypertension, asthma, rhinosinusitis, and bronchitis). LVPs are extremely rapid delivery devices: within two hours of being ingested, a patient's blood levels are back to their normal range. The convenience and speed with which LVPs deliver medication make them an extremely valuable medical device.
Although LVPs are not appropriate for all applications, there are many which make good LVP alternatives for the relief of pain in the small volume parenteral solutions (porcelain or glass vessels) and the administration of small doses of anesthesia. As an alternative to these larger-sized vessels, LVPs offer the convenience and speed of a single dose of a high-strength sterile solution placed directly into the vein. Because this type of delivery system involves an advanced identification system (digital blood cell technology), all drugs are mixed in identical volumes according to specific concentrations listed on the label. Also, because most LVP solutions are sterile liquids in solution form, there is very little need for packaging; therefore, small vials can easily be obtained and dispensed for use in almost any pharmacy.
Most importantly, LVPs provide a convenient and reliable method for delivering medication throughout the day, when time and availability are important factors. For example, if a doctor orders an IV sedative for a patient with a history of addiction to such medications, it is imperative that he also knows how much sedative to expect to administer, or how many units of this medication to have on hand should the patient have a reaction or other emergency while being administered the unit dose container of medication. In situations like these, the availability of a specially sized sterile large volume parenteral drug reservoir that can be easily switched with a disposable unit dose container allows physicians and others involved in the process to more efficiently manage the number of drugs being administered. This type of knowledge transfer is invaluable to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, which is why many hospitals and other health care facilities have a well-stocked LVP unit.
As a patient, you should always seek the advice of your healthcare provider when considering the use of an IV or large volume parenteral. Your physician or healthcare provider will be able to determine if large volume parenteral is right for you. In general, when an LVP is administered, it is administered in conjunction with a nasal cannula, intramuscular or subcutaneous pumps, or a combination of these pumps. IV administration requires the use of a specialized pump.