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IV Therapy at Med Spas: Cost, What Is In Each Drip, and What the Evidence Says

Natasha Pomelova·June 25, 2026·3 min read·Updated June 28, 2026·Reviewed by Anna M. Melamed, MD
IV Therapy at Med Spas: Cost, What Is In Each Drip, and What the Evidence Says

By Natasha Pomelova, Founder of MedicalSpaLocator.com and melov.ai — 15 years in pharmaceutical commercialization at Takeda, Amgen, Astellas, and Horizon Therapeutics.

$100–$250
hydration drip
$250–$600
NAD+ infusion
18,000+
providers on MedicalSpaLocator

What Is in Each IV Drip

Drip TypeContentsCostEvidence Level
Hydration DripNormal saline or Lactated Ringer's solution$100–$250Strong for genuine dehydration
Myers CocktailMagnesium, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), calcium, vitamin C$150–$300Some evidence for migraines and fibromyalgia
Glutathione Add-OnGlutathione (master antioxidant)$100–$200Limited clinical evidence for wellness; popular for skin brightening
NAD+ InfusionNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide$250–$600Active research; strongest data in addiction medicine
High-Dose Vitamin CAscorbic acid 7.5–25g IV$150–$400IV achieves plasma levels not possible orally; antioxidant and immune support

Myers Cocktail evidence: Gaby A.R. (2002). "Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: the 'Myers' Cocktail." Alternative Medicine Review, 7(5):389–403.

NAD+ Infusion — What Is It and What Does the Evidence Say?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuins (longevity proteins). NAD+ levels decline measurably with age in humans — documented in a landmark study by Yoshino et al. (2018, Cell Metabolism), which demonstrated that oral NMN supplementation raised NAD+ levels in skeletal muscle of postmenopausal women with prediabetes.

IV NAD+ administration raises blood NAD+ levels more rapidly than oral precursors (NMN or NR) because it bypasses first-pass metabolism. Clinical data for IV NAD+ in addiction medicine is more developed — multiple clinics report use for alcohol and opioid withdrawal, with some patient-outcome data. Wellness applications (anti-aging, energy, cognitive function) are being actively studied but have not yet produced large randomized controlled trials.

Important safety note: NAD+ infusions must be administered slowly — typically over 2–4 hours. Rapid infusion causes chest tightness, flushing, nausea, and palpitations. Patients receiving NAD+ for the first time should expect a gradual initial drip rate.

Safety Considerations for IV Therapy

All intravenous procedures carry inherent risks that wellness marketing sometimes minimizes: infection at the IV site, phlebitis (vein inflammation), air embolism (rare but serious), electrolyte imbalance (particularly with aggressive vitamin or mineral drips), and anaphylaxis in susceptible patients. These risks are manageable with proper screening and technique but require clinical expertise.

IV therapy at a med spa must be ordered by a licensed prescriber (physician, NP, or PA depending on state law). Every patient should complete a health intake form covering kidney function, heart function, medications, and allergies before receiving any IV drip. Pharmacy-compounded IV bags must originate from a licensed 503A (patient-specific) or 503B (outsourcing facility) compounding pharmacy — check that your provider can verify this.

What to Look for in a Med Spa Offering IV Therapy

Before your first IV therapy appointment, confirm: a licensed prescriber reviews your intake and orders each drip, IV bags come from an accredited compounding pharmacy (ask for the pharmacy name and 503B status), a trained RN or NP administers the IV and remains present during the infusion, and there is a protocol for adverse events including anaphylaxis.

MedicalSpaLocator.com lists 18,000+ verified providers across 1,000+ U.S. cities. Find providers offering IV therapy and NAD+ infusions near you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is IV therapy at a med spa?+

IV therapy at a med spa delivers fluids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or NAD+ directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. Common options include hydration drips, Myers Cocktail (B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C), glutathione, and NAD+ infusions. Each session typically takes 30–90 minutes.

How much does a NAD+ infusion cost?+

NAD+ infusions typically cost $250–$600 per session depending on the dose (250mg–1,000mg) and provider location. NAD+ infusions take longer than standard IV drips — 2–4 hours — due to the slow administration rate required to avoid side effects like chest tightness and nausea.

Does IV therapy actually work?+

Evidence varies by drip type. IV hydration is effective for genuine dehydration. IV magnesium (as in Myers Cocktail) has clinical evidence for migraine prevention. IV vitamin C achieves plasma levels not achievable orally. NAD+ infusions have active research in addiction medicine. Most wellness claims (energy, anti-aging, immune boost) for IV drips lack large randomized controlled trial data.

Is IV therapy safe?+

IV therapy carries real risks including infection, phlebitis, electrolyte imbalance, and rare allergic reactions. These are manageable with proper clinical protocols. A licensed prescriber should order each drip after a health intake review, a trained RN or NP should administer it, and IV bags should come from a licensed compounding pharmacy.

How long does IV therapy take?+

Standard hydration drips and Myers Cocktail take 30–60 minutes. High-dose vitamin C takes 45–90 minutes depending on dose. NAD+ infusions require 2–4 hours due to the slow drip rate required to prevent side effects. Most clinics recommend scheduling NAD+ sessions on a day when you have no other major commitments.

What is the difference between Myers Cocktail and a regular hydration drip?+

A basic hydration drip is saline or Lactated Ringer's solution — electrolytes and fluid, nothing else. A Myers Cocktail adds B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C to the saline base. Myers Cocktail has some peer-reviewed evidence for migraines and fibromyalgia and costs $150–$300 vs $100–$250 for hydration only.

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Medically reviewed by

Anna M. Melamed, MD · Physician

Anna M. Melamed, MD is a licensed physician who reviews Medical Spa Locator treatment and pricing guides for medical accuracy.

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