What is the difference between IPN and IDPN?

January 2, 2026 •

4 min read

Chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis frequently suffer from malnutrition, a condition that increases morbidity and mortality. For these patients, nutritional support is critical, with the choice of therapy hinging on the type of dialysis received. Both IPN and IDPN address this need, yet they are distinct therapies tailored to specific treatment modalities.

Quick Summary

IPN and IDPN are nutritional support therapies for dialysis patients. IPN, or Intraperitoneal Nutrition, is for those on peritoneal dialysis, while IDPN, or Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition, is for hemodialysis patients. The key distinction lies in the method of delivery, which corresponds directly to the patient's dialysis type.

Key Points

Target Dialysis Type: IDPN is specifically for hemodialysis patients, while IPN is for peritoneal dialysis patients.
Delivery Method: IDPN delivers nutrients intravenously directly into the bloodstream, whereas IPN adds nutrients to the dialysate for peritoneal absorption.
Administration Setting: IDPN is typically given in a clinic setting during hemodialysis, while IPN is usually administered at home during peritoneal dialysis exchanges.
Nutrient Focus: IDPN provides a full hyperalimentation formula, including protein, carbohydrates, and lipids, while IPN primarily focuses on replacing lost protein with amino acids.
Nutritional Goal: Both therapies aim to reverse malnutrition in dialysis patients who cannot maintain adequate oral intake.
Decision-Making: A patient's specific dialysis modality, along with a nutritional assessment, determines which therapy is appropriate.

Understanding the Basics: What Are IPN and IDPN?

IPN (Intraperitoneal Nutrition) and IDPN (Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition) are both specialized nutritional therapies designed to combat malnutrition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis. Dialysis, while life-saving, can lead to significant protein and calorie loss, which is why these supplemental treatments are often necessary. The fundamental difference, however, lies in how and where the nutrients are delivered, directly corresponding to the patient's specific type of dialysis.

What is Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (IDPN)?

IDPN is a nutritional therapy specifically for patients on hemodialysis. In hemodialysis, a machine removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The IDPN formula, which contains a carefully tailored mixture of amino acids, glucose, and sometimes lipids, is infused directly into the bloodstream during the hemodialysis session. This process leverages the existing vascular access line, eliminating the need for a separate catheter. A typical IDPN session is administered approximately three times per week, aligning with the patient’s regular hemodialysis schedule.

Key Characteristics of IDPN:

Target Population: Hemodialysis patients.
Nutrient Delivery: Nutrients are infused directly into the bloodstream through the venous drip chamber of the hemodialysis tubing.
Frequency: Typically administered during the patient's regular hemodialysis sessions, often three times a week.
Administration Location: Usually performed in a dialysis clinic setting.
Solution Components: Contains amino acids, carbohydrates (dextrose), and sometimes lipids.

What is Intraperitoneal Nutrition (IPN)?

IPN, in contrast, is a nutritional therapy for patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). In PD, a sterile dialysate solution is introduced into the peritoneal cavity within the abdomen to draw out waste products. With IPN, a specially formulated solution containing amino acids is added to the patient's dialysate. This solution is then absorbed into the body through the peritoneal membrane, replacing the protein that is naturally lost during the PD process. IPN is often administered daily at home, as part of the patient's regular PD exchange schedule.

Key Characteristics of IPN:

Target Population: Peritoneal dialysis patients.
Nutrient Delivery: Nutrients are added to the dialysate and absorbed through the peritoneal membrane.
Frequency: Administered daily at home, usually as a replacement for one of the patient's normal dialysate exchanges.
Administration Location: Can be done at home, integrated into the patient’s existing peritoneal dialysis routine.
Solution Components: Primarily contains amino acids, sometimes replacing the standard dextrose dialysate to help balance blood glucose levels.

IPN vs. IDPN: A Comparison Table


Feature	Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (IDPN)	Intraperitoneal Nutrition (IPN)
Patient Type	Hemodialysis (HD) patients.	Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients.
Delivery Method	Infused directly into the bloodstream via the venous dialysis port.	Added to the dialysate and absorbed through the peritoneal membrane.
Frequency	Typically 3 times per week, during hemodialysis sessions.	Typically daily, as part of a regular PD exchange.
Administration Site	Dialysis access in the arm.	Peritoneal cavity via the abdominal catheter.
Nutrient Composition	Amino acids, glucose, and sometimes lipids.	Primarily amino acids, integrated into the dialysate.
Administration Setting	Performed in a clinic or hospital setting.	Can be administered at home, fitting into the patient's routine.
Side Effects	Potential risks include hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and fluid imbalances.	Potential side effects are generally mild, but can include dehydration if not managed properly.
Primary Goal	Provides calories and protein to reverse protein-energy wasting in HD patients.	Replaces protein lost through the peritoneal membrane to improve nutritional status.

Who Needs IPN or IDPN?

The primary candidates for both IPN and IDPN are dialysis patients suffering from malnutrition that cannot be managed through dietary counseling and oral nutritional supplements alone. Malnutrition is a common complication in CKD patients due to factors like poor appetite, metabolic changes, and nutrient loss during dialysis. Indicators for needing this support include significant weight loss, a low body mass index (BMI), or persistently low serum albumin levels. A doctor and dietitian work together to determine if IDPN or IPN is the right course of action based on the patient's specific dialysis type and overall nutritional status.

The Role of Dialysis Type in Nutrition Therapy

The most crucial factor determining the choice between IPN and IDPN is the patient's dialysis modality. Hemodialysis removes nutrients directly from the blood, necessitating the intravenous delivery method of IDPN to replenish them efficiently. Peritoneal dialysis, meanwhile, removes nutrients via the dialysate solution, which is why IPN works by adding nutrients directly into that solution for absorption. Understanding this distinction is vital for proper patient care.

Conclusion: Specialized Care for a Complex Condition

While both IPN and IDPN serve the same overarching purpose—providing critical nutritional support to malnourished dialysis patients—their methods and applications are fundamentally different. The choice between Intraperitoneal Nutrition (IPN) for peritoneal dialysis and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (IDPN) for hemodialysis is determined entirely by the patient's treatment modality. This specialization ensures that patients receive targeted and efficient nutrient delivery, helping to combat malnutrition and improve overall health outcomes, a complex challenge in long-term renal care. By understanding these key differences, healthcare providers can better manage the nutritional needs of their dialysis patients and empower patients to comprehend their care plan more fully.

Visit the Pentec Health Newsroom for more details on IDPN and IPN therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

IDPN stands for Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition, a therapy for malnourished hemodialysis patients that provides nutrients intravenously during their treatment sessions.

IPN stands for Intraperitoneal Nutrition, a therapy for malnourished peritoneal dialysis patients where nutrients, typically amino acids, are added to the dialysate.

The choice between IPN and IDPN depends entirely on your type of dialysis. If you are on hemodialysis, IDPN is the appropriate therapy. If you are on peritoneal dialysis, you would receive IPN.

No, a patient receives either IPN or IDPN, not both. The therapy is determined by the specific dialysis modality the patient is on.

With IDPN, nutrients such as amino acids, glucose, and lipids are infused directly into the bloodstream through the vascular access used for hemodialysis.

With IPN, a nutritional solution is added to the dialysate and infused into the peritoneal cavity, where the nutrients are absorbed through the peritoneal membrane.

The primary goal of both IDPN and IPN is to address and reverse malnutrition in dialysis patients who are unable to meet their nutritional needs through diet alone.

IDPN solutions typically contain amino acids, glucose, and sometimes lipids, providing a comprehensive nutritional supplement during hemodialysis.

IPN solutions primarily focus on providing amino acids to replenish the protein that is lost during the peritoneal dialysis exchange process.

Many commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Part D plans may cover IDPN and IPN, but coverage can depend on the patient's specific plan and medical necessity.