IV (intravenous)

>Intravenous antibiotics refer to the administration into the venous circulation of a solution containing antibiotics; >Intravenous immunoglobulin is a sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from healthy people given straight into a vein; >An intravenous injection is just that: giving of something such as drugs into a vein through a syringe.</LI></UL> The accompanying adverb is 'intravenously', as in: 'The glucose was given intravenously.' In more recent years, the word 'intravenous' has taken on a second role: as a noun.

Thus, 'an intravenous' refers to an intravenous fluid drip, a solution (usually a balanced electrolyte solution) administered directly into the venous circulation.

Also called a drip.