Is IV Therapy Safe?

IV therapy, also known as infusion therapy, is a relatively safe and effective way to administer hydrating fluids, micronutrients and a variety of supplements into a person’s system easily and rapidly. Infusion therapy isn’t limited to treating the ill. People who are in good health reap many benefits from IV therapy, such as feeling great, looking good, and having abundant energy.

In IV therapy, a person receives a treatment or supplement through an IV line, allowing substances to enter the bloodstream directly, rather than being absorbed in the stomach and intestines. As a result, substances go to work immediately with no loss of potency.

Thus, IV therapy avoids the “first-pass effect,” in which medications absorbed in the digestive tract undergo metabolism through the liver. Although the first-pass effect isn’t harmful, it results in a reduced amount of a given substance delivered to the whole body.

Avoiding first-pass metabolism allows for higher bioavailability, which is important for getting the full benefit of a treatment. Even though oral supplements are convenient, sometimes the digestive tract has difficulty absorbing some nutrients. The body’s efficiency at making the best use of nutrients given by the oral route can be influenced by many factors and disorders, such as:

• General health and medical issues
• Age
• Genetics
• Level of alcohol consumption, and general hydration
• Autoimmune disorders that cause systemic inflammation or “leaky gut”
• Inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract, like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic liver diseases
• Short-bowel syndrome

These issues can lead to poor bioavailability; that is, what we consume orally may not get into the bloodstream to any helpful level, or fail to reach our tissues in a usable form or concentration. This makes infusion therapy ideal, as it bypasses all those issues by placing substances directly into the bloodstream, via an IV catheter (or sometimes an injection below the skin, or into muscle tissue).

IV therapy can be tailored to a person’s unique needs. These are a few of the myriad benefits of IV therapy:

• Higher vitamin and nutrient absorption
• Acceleration of wound healing
• Reduce symptoms and recovery time from minor illnesses, headache, or “hangover”
• Boosted energy levels
• Anti-aging skin effects
• Improve mental clarity
• Enhance effectiveness of the immune system
• Comprehensive supplementation

The Infusion Therapy Process

Infusion therapy clinics are staffed with infusion nurses who have expertise in initiating access and administering the correct IV fluids and substances. While receiving an IV infusion, an infusion nurse is present to observe sterile conditions, and manage any untoward side-effects or reactions, allowing for a complication-free infusion session.

IV Therapy Considerations

It’s important for IV therapy consumers to disclose any medical issues they have, particularly if they take prescribed or over-the-counter medication, or self-administered substances.
People who have disorders that cause fluid retention, especially cardiac disorders or kidney disease should consult with a physician before having IV therapy.

The takeaway

IV drip therapy can be a safe, convenient, and effective way to help people get the maximum benefits from vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.

Works Cited

• Cyriac, J. M., & James, E. (2014). Switch over from intravenous to oral therapy: A concise overview. Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, 5(2), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-500X.130042 
• FDA. (n.d.). What is an infusion pump? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/infusion-pumps/what-infusion-pump.
• Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, October 13). Crohn's disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes.
• Millam D. (1996). The history of intravenous therapy. Journal of intravenous nursing: the official publication of the Intravenous Nurses Society, 19(1), 5–14.