Here’s why you don’t need intravenous vitamin therapy

Today, luxury vacations often include not only five-star amenities and breathtaking views, but also IV vitamin treatments. In recent years, celebrities have popularized vitamin infusions, touting them for everything from treating hangovers to anti-aging.

However, many health experts are skeptical of these claims.

“The evidence supporting their use for any medical condition is really very limited,” Kelly Krisna Johnson-Arbor, MD, a medical toxicologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, told Berrywell.

IV therapy can deliver high doses of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, B12, magnesium, and calcium, directly into your bloodstream. However, these treatments are not FDA approved.

According to Teresa Gentile, a registered dietitian based in New York, we can easily get the vitamins we need from food without the need for an IV.

“Most of what these people are getting from their IV fluids, we can also get from a balanced diet,” Gentile told Berrywell.

Are vitamin drips really effective?

There is not enough evidence to support claims that IV drops cure jet lag, detox, and boost immunity. Some IV therapy companies market their products as treatments for chronic diseases such as cancer and congestive heart failure. This has led the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to challenge these unsubstantiated health claims.

“Unfortunately, there’s very little research done on the effectiveness and safety of these things. They’re making dramatic health claims that are really unsubstantiated, so that’s a big concern,” Gentile said. he said.

High doses of vitamins and minerals administered through an intravenous drip may not be completely harmless. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C are excreted in excess in the urine, while excess intake of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K can lead to toxic overdoses.

“We don’t necessarily know whether taking high doses of vitamins is good for our health. Just because vitamin deficiencies are associated with poor outcomes in people doesn’t necessarily mean that vitamin excess is beneficial. Professor Johnson-Arbor said.

How dangerous are vitamin drips?

In 2021, a 50-year-old woman was hospitalized with septic shock with multiple organ failure after receiving a vitamin drip at home. Additionally, the FDA warned that some IV hydration clinics and medical spas prepare products using dirty equipment in unsanitary conditions. The agency also said it could not guarantee the quality of the compounded drugs in the IV bags.

“While there are many safe and reputable medical spas that offer these treatments, a small number of them cut corners and put their patients at risk, creating a cloud in the industry,” says Dr. Richina Bisset-McCain. An assistant professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine told Berrywell via email.

Bisset-McCain said the biggest risks often occur during the IV insertion process, which can cause pain, excessive bleeding, skin infections, irritation and clotting.

Intravenous fluids themselves come with some risks. You may have an allergic reaction to the contents of the IV, or the IV may interact harmfully with other medicines you are taking.

“Most IVs are basically expensive water mixed with some vitamins, and those fluids are relatively safe. However, patients are given intravenous infusions containing prescription-only electrolyte mixtures and “This should never be administered in a medical spa setting, as it has led to negative outcomes and deaths in some cases,” Bisset-McCain said.

Anyone thinking of trying IV therapy, whether at a medical spa or wellness retreat, should check to see if a licensed health care provider is on-site.

“Ask what the protocols are in case a medical complication or emergency occurs during treatment. Who will be there and able to provide care immediately?” Bisset McCain said. “Make sure your medical spa performs some intake history and a quick medical exam to make sure you can safely receive the treatment you’re paying for.”