Review Article

Extravasation Injuries in Adults

Table 1

Medications that may increase the risk of extravasation.

MedicationRisk

Anticoagulants
Antifibrinolytics
Antiplatelets
May exacerbate extravasation or cause a compartmental injury by increasing local bleeding
VasodilatorsMay increase local blood flow and enlarge the area of injury
Hormone TherapyVasodilating properties
SteroidsVasodilating properties
DiureticsMay increase local blood flow
AntihistaminesMay constrict capillaries and arterioles, resulting in ischaemic injury
AnalgesicsReduced pain sensation may cause less reporting of extravasations
IV antibioticsRepeated venous insult may thrombose vessels