Are intravenous (IV) vitamin infusions safe and effective?

Answer:

Intravenous (IV) vitamin infusions are touted by celebrities and promoted by wellness clinics for improving wellbeing, boosting immunity, increasing energy, and treating various conditions including colds, hangovers, migraines, and others (Bonate, J Clin Pharmacol 2023). Unfortunately, there is no good clinical evidence that IV vitamin infusions provide health benefits except in specific therapeutic situations — such as treating vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Furthermore, they can be unsafe and, in some cases, have been linked with death. The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) has concluded that there is no evidence that the benefits of IV vitamin infusions outweigh the possible risks.

Continue reading below to learn what is typically included in IV vitamin infusions, what side effects have been reported, and how to reduce the risk of adverse effects if you choose to get an IV vitamin infusion.

What are IV vitamin infusions?

IV vitamin infusions are typically vitamin cocktails that are administered directly into the vein, sometimes in concentrated amounts. In most U.S. states, these infusions must be monitored by specific healthcare professionals (see below). However, some wellness centers do not have physician oversight, and there are reports of unqualified people administering these infusions. Furthermore, unlike in the U.K. where clinics administering vitamin infusions must be registered, such clinics in the U.S. can be unlicensed (Bonate, J Clin Pharmacol 2023).

One of the most common IV vitamin infusions offered at wellness clinics is the "Myers' cocktail," named after John Myers, one of the first physicians to promote IV nutrient therapy. Usually, the "cocktail" contains a mixture of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. However, the ingredients are not standardized and different providers use different formulations (Poison Control, Can A Myers' Cocktail Help Me). For example, the Myers' Cocktail by HydraMed, a business that provides IV vitamin infusions in parts of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, provides 1 liter of fluids containing 1,000 mg of vitamin B-12 (41,700% of the Daily Value or DV), 1 mL of B-Complex (details not specified), 1,000 mg of vitamin C (1,111% DV and half the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)), 200 mg of magnesium (48% DV and more than half the UL), and 10 mg of zinc (91% DV).

Even higher amounts are in HydraMed's Myers' Cocktail Max, which contains 2 mg of B-12 (83,333% DV), 2 mL of B-Complex, 3,000 mg of vitamin C (3,333% DV), 400 mg of magnesium (95% DV), 10 mg of zinc (91% DV), and 400 mg of glutathione. Some vitamin infusions contain as much as 28,000 milligrams of vitamin C (Bonate, J Clin Pharmacol 2023).

Some vitamin infusions contain other nutrients, including TPN electrolytes (sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and sodium acetate anhydrous), amino acids, glutathione, NAD+, and/or zinc.

Although less common, vitamin infusions may also contain drugs such as ondansetron (Zofran, Zuplenz), a prescription medication for nausea and vomiting, or ketorolac (Toradol), a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain. In some cases, the drugs are not explicitly described. For instance, Hangover Rescue by HydraMed contains 15 mg of "Headache and Pain Medication" and 8 mg of "Stomach Pain Medication," but names of the specific medications are not described.

Safety Concerns

There are reports of IV vitamin infusions causing muscle cramps, low blood pressure, a sense of warmth, fainting, and allergic reactions (Poison Control, Can A Myers' Cocktail Help Me).

In some cases, IV vitamin infusion compounds may not be prepared under sanitary conditions, which can increase the risk of infection. The FDA has been made aware of IV vitamin infusions being compounded in areas with peeling paint, stained work surfaces, dirty equipment, and unclean air vents (FDA, 10-25-21). In one report, a 52-year-old woman experienced nausea, chills, vomiting and diarrhea and was subsequently hospitalized for septic shock with multi-organ failure secondary to Pseudomonas fluorescens infection after getting an IV vitamin infusion at her home. (D'Souza, J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2021). Pseudomonas fluorescens infections have been linked with exposure to contaminated liquids used in invasive procedures. According to a subsequent report by the FDA, an investigation of the medical clinic that had prepared the infusion identified several deficiencies involving insanitary conditions. The FDA has also noted that, in some cases, vitamins are added to IV vitamin infusions by the clinic or medical spa itself, and it is unknown if the sites are using sterile compounding or safe storage techniques (FDA, 10-25-21).

Vitamin infusions containing glutathione may increase the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a severe, allergic skin reaction. A 33-year-old woman in Ohio experienced overall discomfort, painful urination, throat swelling, and mild chest rash that spread to 25% of her body and began peeling one week after receiving an IV vitamin infusion with vitamin D, vitamin C and glutathione. She was treated with an intravenous medication (etanercept) and discharged from the hospital after 8 days but required a second dose 5 days later due to persistent mucous membrane inflammation. The reaction was attributed to glutathione, as she had previously received the other ingredients without side effects (Johnson, J Burn Care Res 2025). (Note: Celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy have claimed that acetaminophen (Tylenol) can deplete glutathione, and IV glutathione therapy can reverse this condition, but there is no evidence that taking acetaminophen at recommended doses causes significant glutathione depletion. While high doses of acetaminophen above the daily limit for acetaminophen (e.g., 6 grams, i.e., 12 extra strength (500 mg) capsules per day over 24 to 48 hours) may cause glutathione depletion, standard treatment for this condition is N-acetyl cysteine (a precursor to glutathione) not IV or oral glutathione (Agrawal, StatPearls [Internet] 2025). In fact, IV glutathione is rapidly degraded in the kidney and excreted in the urine, with a half-life of only about 14 minutes (Aebi, Eur J Clin Invest 1991).

Vitamin infusions containing TPN electrolytes can cause serious heart-related adverse events. According to a 2023 news report, a woman in Texas died due to sudden cardiac death after receiving an IV vitamin infusion containing vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin B-12 and TPN electrolytes. The autopsy report stated that "the administration of IV therapy cannot be definitely ruled in or ruled out as contributory." As noted above, TPN electrolyte solutions contain potassium chloride, which can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest if used in concentrated amounts (Prescribing Information for Potassium Chloride Injections).

Vitamin infusions may lead to destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) in people with G6PD deficiency (a condition that causes red blood cells to break down faster than they are made). A case of life-threatening intravascular hemolysis was reported for a 47-year-old man with undiagnosed G6PD deficiency who had received an IV vitamin infusion containing vitamins B and D complex, free amino acids, magnesium and taurine. Symptoms included fever, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dark urine and worsening state of confusion, which began 1 day after the infusion (Livshits, J Med Toxicol 2011).

IV infusions, including IV vitamin infusions, may increase the body's exposure to microplastics. A laboratory study simulating IV therapy found that plastic IV infusion products (such as infusion bottles/bags and tubes) used to deliver 1 liter of IV fluid may expose the body to 57,500 particles of polyvinyl chloride microplastics and 686 particles of polyethylene-polypropylene microplastics (Li, J Hazard Mater 2025). Other research estimated that receiving 1 liter of IV fluid could deliver approximately 200 to 7,500 microplastic particles into the bloodstream of an average-sized adult (Casella, Toxics 2025; Huang, Environ Health (Wash) 2025). This potential risk applies to any IV infusion, but the risk/benefit ratio may be particularly high for vitamin infusions if they are not essential.

Very few states have enacted laws or policies to govern elective IV therapy, and a study published in 2025 highlighted serious concerns related to the safety of these facilities. The study investigators reviewed websites for 255 IV facilities (offering hydration typically with vitamins, magnesium, and/or glutathione) across all 50 states and Washington D.C. and found that 100% of these facilities made claims regarding the impact of IV therapy on health (most claimed immune support, hydration and replenishment, beauty and skin health, detoxification, and metabolism and weight loss benefits), but only 2 (0.8%) provided a reference to support these claims. Furthermore, a "secret shopper" for the investigators that called 87 different IV therapy facilities found that specific therapies were recommended over the phone by unlicensed medical professionals at 86% of the facilities when the shopper volunteered specific symptoms, but only 24% shared information about possible adverse effects or risks when asked about the risks (Sivakumar, JAMA Intern Med 2025).

Cost

The cost of vitamin infusions typically range from about $100 to $300 per session, although some cost as much as $600. Sessions typically last for 30 to 60 minutes, although some may last for 90 minutes or more.

Keep in mind that IV vitamin infusions are not approved by the FDA and are not likely to be covered by health insurance.

Things to consider if getting an IV vitamin infusion

While the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) has concluded that there is no evidence that the benefits of IV vitamin infusions outweigh the possible risks, they have made recommendations about how vitamin infusions should be provided to reduce the associated health risks (Bonate, J Clin Pharmacol 2023). It may be prudent for an individual to consider the following before getting an IV vitamin infusion:

1. Is it necessary? Vitamin infusions should be received only if approved by a physician for a valid medical reason and given by a licensed individual. Only medical doctors, registered nurses (RNs), physician's assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) with special certifications are authorized to give IV infusions, and state health departments have issued cease and desist notices to some clinics at which infusions were being administered by paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) (Florida Department of Health, 11-12-2015).
2. Is emergency medical care available should it be needed? Be sure that any facility offering IV vitamin infusions has an automated external defibrillator (AED) and at least one staff member trained to provide advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or has equivalent training.
3. Are the infusions to be administered prepared safely? IV vitamin infusions should be compounded under sterile conditions at a state licensed pharmacy. Preferably, the pharmacy should be registered under CFR 503A as a compounding pharmacy. As noted above, the FDA has been made aware of IV vitamin therapy being prepared under insanitary conditions.
4. Have all potential safety concerns been described? The clinic should provide all patients with an informed consent form that lists any potential risk.
5. Is your PCP informed? A person receiving IV vitamin therapy should be sure to consult with their primary care physician (PCP) to ensure that IV vitamin infusions are not contraindicated with any of their medical conditions or prescribed medications. They should also follow up with their primary care physician after the procedure to report any possible side effects.