IPN Therapy

Intraperitoneal Nutrition (IPN) is a nutrition intervention strategy designed specifically for the malnourished patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).  IPN is a parenteral nutrition solution, which consists of amino acids that have been added to a standard dialysate solution or sterile water to produce a final concentration to best suit the patient’s needs.  The IPN is prepared in the Brooks Health Care pharmacy according to the physician prescription.  Each prescription is patient specific and can be altered or adjusted over time to reflect changes in the patient’s nutritional and medical status.

The cause of malnutrition in the PD patient is multifactorial and may include: increased protein losses during dialysis, increased membrane permeability (peritonitis), reduced intake related to early satiety, increased needs due to multiple underlying disease processes, alterations in nutrient metabolism,  decreased absorption, and utilization of nutrients.  As the PD patient becomes malnourished, the incidence of peritonitis increases.  Low albumin or protein levels have been strongly correlated with peritonitis and accompanying hospitalizations.

IPN is instilled into the peritoneal cavity by the patient, via the peritoneal catheter, and is substituted for one or more dialysis treatments or “exchanges” per day.  Clinical studies have proven that IPN is a safe and well tolerated therapy.  IPN also has been shown to increase lean body mass.  With protein loses of 5 – 20 grams and an amino acid loss of 1.3 – 3.4 grams per day, IPN is a valuable therapy for the malnourished patient receiving peritoneal dialysis.