Guide
IV Drip Therapy: A Plain-English Guide
IV drips have moved out of hospitals and into storefronts, hotel rooms and living rooms. Here's what you're actually paying for, what it costs, and what to ask before someone puts a needle in your arm.
What an IV drip is
A nurse puts a small catheter in a vein, usually in your arm, and a bag of fluid runs in over 30 to 60 minutes. The base is saline, which is salt water close to your body's own balance. Clinics add vitamins and minerals on top: B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and sometimes things like glutathione or NAD+.
What's on a typical menu
Names change from clinic to clinic, but most menus come down to a few types:
- Hydration: fluids and electrolytes. This is the simplest and cheapest option.
- Myers' Cocktail: a classic mix of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C. Many clinics sell their own version under a different name.
- Immunity: usually heavier on vitamin C and zinc.
- Recovery or hangover: fluids plus B vitamins, sometimes with anti-nausea medication added.
- NAD+: a longer, slower, more expensive drip that can take two hours or more.
What it costs
Prices vary a lot by city and by whether the nurse comes to you. Across the clinics in our directory, a basic hydration drip in a US city usually runs $100 to $300, with a few clinics lower. Specialty drips like NAD+ run higher, often $300 to $750. Mobile service, where a nurse comes to your home or hotel, usually costs more than walking into a clinic.
Many clinics sell memberships or packages that bring the per-visit price down. They're worth it only if you're sure you'll go back.
Clinic vs. mobile
A clinic is usually cheaper and you can see the setup. Mobile is convenient and private, and it's popular after a long night or a long flight, but expect to pay for the convenience. Either way, the person putting in your IV should be a licensed medical professional.
Does it work?
It depends on what you need. If you're dehydrated, IV fluids rehydrate you fast. That part is not controversial. For most of the other claims you'll see on clinic websites, like more energy, a stronger immune system or better skin, the research in healthy people is thin. Plenty of people like how they feel afterward. Just go in knowing what's proven and what's marketing.
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt?
About as much as a blood draw. You feel a pinch going in, then usually nothing. Some drips feel cold in your arm, and some people notice a taste in their mouth while the vitamins go in.
How long does it take?
Most drips take 30 to 60 minutes. NAD+ can take two hours or more. Budget extra time for a short health questionnaire before your first visit.
Who puts in the IV?
It should be a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or doctor. Ask who will be doing it when you book.
Is it safe?
For most healthy adults, side effects are minor: bruising, soreness at the needle site, or feeling lightheaded. Less often, the IV slips out of the vein, the vein gets irritated, or there's an infection. If you have heart or kidney problems, are pregnant, or take regular medication, talk to your own doctor first. A good clinic will ask about all of this before starting.
Does insurance cover it?
Almost never for wellness drips. Plan on paying out of pocket. Some clinics take HSA or FSA cards, so ask.
How often can I get one?
There's no single answer, and anyone who tells you "weekly, forever" is selling a membership. Ask the clinician what makes sense for you, and be skeptical of pressure to book a package on your first visit.
What should I ask before booking?
- Who administers the drip, and what are their credentials?
- What's in this exact drip, and at what doses?
- What's the total price, including any travel or call-out fee?
- What happens if I feel unwell during or after?
What should I do before my appointment?
Eat something beforehand. Drink water. Wear a top with loose sleeves. Bring a list of any medications you take.
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This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare provider about whether IV therapy is right for you.