What is the optimal approach to infi ltration and extravasation of nonchemotherapy medications?

Abstract

The immediate response to leakage of intravenous (IV) medications is warm or cold compression and assessment of severity. If the severity is grade 3 or above,1 an antidote is needed and must be identifi ed quickly. The antidote depends on the type of medication that has leaked. In general, hyaluronidase is the antidote of choice for nonvesicant agents, but other agents include topical nitroglycerin, phentolamine, terbutaline, and sodium thiosulfate. These agents work by vasodilating to clear the drug from the area and neutralizing the harmful irritants.