What Is IV Nutritional Therapy, and Should You Try It?

Some people rely on these treatments when they’re in a pinch — say, when they’re feeling under the weather, battling jet lag, or fighting off illness. Others frequent IV clinics as part of their wellness routine and choose options purportedly designed to combat aging, boost brainpower, control stress, or even treat medical conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain. Yet the evidence is quite limited to support the use of IV nutritional therapies without a documented nutritional deficiency.

It did the trick. “Literally, I was fine the next day,” Landis says. “It was unbelievable how much it shifted what was going on in my body.”

Below we delve into this trend, how IV therapy works, and what research says about its popularized claims.

IV treatments have traditionally been used in hospitals to help patients rehydrate or restore nutrient deficiencies, but they’re become popular today as a “quick fix” for the general population. Companies have set up brick-and-mortar clinics in many cities, and others offer concierge-style services where they bring needles and infusions straight to a client’s home or office.

IV drips have also seen a boost in popularity thanks to a celebrity following, including Chrissy Teigen, Ariana Grande, Adele, Rihanna, and many more who have cashed in on the concoctions.

Celebs and others who swear by IV therapy turn to it as a way to deliver nutrients to the body. Natalya Fazylova, DNP, a New York–based holistic health practitioner at ReBalance NYC, has been administering IV treatments since 2014. She says that when we take vitamins orally, they travel to the stomach and intestines, but they don’t get absorbed entirely. With IV drips, on the other hand, Fazylova says, the vitamins go directly to the bloodstream, which may have greater effects.

Most IV sessions cost between $150 and $400 and take about 20 minutes to complete, though some of the more intensive ones can take up to three hours, Fazylova says.

Some people may be turning to vitamin D drips because they aren’t getting adequate exposure to sunshine during the winter months.

Keep that in mind to manage your expectations, and don’t expect IV therapies to be cure-alls.

IV nutrition therapy includes a number of risks to consider:

• IV Clinics Are Largely Unregulated There may be differences in quality and cleanliness from clinic to clinic as a result.

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• It’s Difficult to Predict How Your Body Will Respond Taking in too much vitamin C, for instance, can lead to stomach issues, including nausea and diarrhea.

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• Side Effects May Occur Some research finds that taking in high doses of certain supplements may increase your risk for certain types of cancer.

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   Vitamin D toxicity can lead to a buildup of calcium in your blood, which may bring on nausea, weakness, and increased urination.

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• It Can Be Detrimental for People With Allergies or Medical Conditions Fazylova says people with allergies should be careful and need to know all the ingredients before they receive IV therapy. She also advises people with heart conditions to be extra cautious because taking in too many extra electrolytes can lead to heart arrhythmias.

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   If you are managing kidney disease, ask your doctor before trying IV nutritional therapy, as you may need to monitor intake of minerals, including sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
• The Solution May Interact Negatively With Medications Make sure that whatever is in the IV solution won’t interact negatively with any medication you’re taking, Taub-Dix recommends. “If you have medical conditions or are on other vitamin supplements or medications, then you really need to check with your healthcare provider to be sure you’re not going to get anything that will interact with something you’re already taking,” she says.
• You Run the Risk of an Injection or Inflammation at the Site “Anytime you make a hole in your skin, you’re leaving yourself open to infection,” Taub-Dix says. It could become infected or, though uncommon, the vein could be inflamed or a blood clot could develop.

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Many medical experts say that the main outcome of IV drips is “expensive urine,” but they’re not likely to cause harm.

“If it’s a one-shot deal and that works for you, great, but I wouldn’t have it be something you rely on,” Taub-Dix says. She says a better plan would be to adjust your diet or consider oral supplements if your diet is lacking certain nutrients.

Risks and lack of evidence surrounding IV drips aside, Landis is still a fan. “I know that I felt one way the day before and another way the next day,” she says. “I trust myself to know how I feel and decide for myself whether or not something works. I know for myself, and I have spoken to many others, and I know that this works.”

As with any other new supplement or treatment, be sure to check with your primary healthcare provider before starting IV therapies.

• Some celebrities swear by these treatments to boost their immunity or treat hangovers, but supporting research is significantly lacking for people with normal nutritional intake and levels.
• Experts suggest adjusting your diet or taking oral supplements as safer alternatives to IV nutrition therapy.
• Take extra caution with IV drips if you have allergies, take any medications, or have any heart conditions.

Additional reporting by Andria Park Huynh.