Support and Coping with Cancer   /   Caregivers

Pain Control Therapy - Analgesia

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Penn Home Infusion Team
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Purpose

Subcutaneous and intravenous analgesia is a method of giving pain medication constantly to help control your pain and make you more comfortable. Your medication will be infused into your using a Catheter.

Duration

Your pain medicine is given constantly via a pump, to keep adequate levels of pain medication in your blood stream. This prevents periods of increased pain that can occur when medication is not given regularly. Your doctor will determine how long you need to be on pain control therapy.

Administration

The pain medication comes already mixed. A nurse will replace the cassette as needed. You may have a pump that is programmed to give you extra medication if you need it. This extra amount of medication is called a bolus. Whenever you feel increased pain, you can push the button and receive extra medication or bolus as prescribed by your doctor. If you are not receiving adequate pain relief, call your physician or pharmacist.