FAQs

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a method of providing a sterile form of liquid nutrients into the blood through an intravenous (IV) catheter. It contains nutrients your body would normally get from food, such as protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Certain diseases, surgeries, and injuries can cause problems with the normal process of digestion and absorption that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. The stomach or bowel may not be working normally or a person may have had surgery to remove part or all of these organs. Because TPN is given into the blood, it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. TPN is only used if other methods to feed into the gastrointestinal tract have failed or are not possible. But in people who need TPN, it can be given for as long as is needed. People can live very well on TPN for many, many years. It can be given to all ages, including infants and children as well as adults.

TPN is given into a special intravenous (IV) catheter. The catheter is typically placed in a large vein in the chest and can stay in place for a long period of time, if needed. Different kinds of catheters may be used. In people receiving TPN at home, it is usually given over a 10-12 hour period at night during sleep. It requires an infusion pump to regulate the flow of TPN fluid into the blood. Proper care of the catheter is required to avoid infection and clotting.

A TPN consumer is an individual who requires the use of parenteral nutrition to maintain their nutritional status and body composition.

Concord Specialty Pharmacy is the TPN consumers home infusion pharmacy! We encourage supplies and infusion pumps, which improve your quality of life. We may often suggest alternate products, which are either new developments or offer other features, which may improve your health or quality of life. We continually seek input from the consumer in ultimately determining your supplies or pumps.