IV therapy clinics are becoming increasingly popular across the nation, promising quick relief from hangovers or fatigue after intense workouts. However, many doctors and experts urge caution.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, these clinics have flourished, offering intravenous drips that claim to enhance energy levels, strengthen the immune system, or alleviate joint pain. Typically, these procedures involve intravenous fluids that are commonly seen in hospital settings.
Customers are often required to spend hundreds of dollars per session for a blend of vitamins and supplements that could be more affordably consumed in pill form. Proponents argue that this method allows for faster hydration and better absorption of nutrients compared to pills. Yet, Dr. Sam Torbati, an emergency medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, suggests that the therapy mainly leads to “expensive urine,” as the body expels what it doesn’t utilize.
### The Rise of IV Clinics
Counting the number of IV therapy clinics can be challenging, as some offer only the therapy while others combine it with medical spa services. The American IV Association reports a significant uptick in popularity during the pandemic, driven by limited access to doctors and increased concerns about immune health.
In Ohio alone, around 200 clinics have emerged since the pandemic began, a stark contrast to their rarity before that time, according to Cameron McNamee from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
### What to Consider Before Visiting an IV Clinic
Before undergoing treatment, customers should ask a few important questions. For instance, inquire about the qualifications and experience of the staff administering the IV. It’s also essential to know the specific contents of the drip. Products like the “Wonder Juice” from Restore Hyper Wellness contain a mix of vitamins and supplements that are available over-the-counter.
Additionally, it’s critical to know where the clinic sources its medications. Ideally, these should come from licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers, not from questionable sources such as social media. Concerns have arisen in Ohio where some clinics have faced license suspensions for purchasing drugs through unregulated avenues.
Cleanliness is another important factor; a tidy office often indicates that the IV treatment area is also hygienic.
### Regulatory Concerns
Regulators are worried that IV therapy is often administered by nurses or paramedics who are not fully equipped to make treatment decisions. Many states advocate for the involvement of a doctor or nurse practitioner. Clinics usually operate on standing orders from doctors, allowing non-physicians to provide care following established protocols.
Dr. Chris Seitz, an emergency physician, points out that nurses often initiate care and IV treatment in hospital emergency rooms, but the environment is heavily regulated, unlike some IV clinics.
### Patient Involvement and Safety
Another area of concern for regulators is the extent to which customers can choose their treatments. Unlike in a hospital setting, where patients can’t simply demand a specific procedure, many IV clinics allow patients to select their own therapies. While a partnership model between provider and patient is essential, the involvement of practitioners is critical for safety.
Officials in South Carolina stressed that any ingredient mixing for treatments should originate from a legitimate care provider order, not a customer-driven menu.
Still, supporters of IV therapy argue that adding vitamins to IV treatments doesn’t equate to the complex mixing of prescription drugs and is relatively uncomplicated.
### Evaluating the Benefits
IV therapy does have its merits. It can be beneficial for patients dealing with cancer or pregnant women in need of hydration. Some treatments can also relieve migraine pain. However, creating sterile and safe intravenous solutions is often more costly than standard pill forms, raising questions about whether the price tag is justified for consumers.
Many customers may find that within hours, their investment in these therapies is expelled from the body. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
