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Wellness4 min read

IV Vitamin Therapy: Benefits, Who Can Benefit, and What to Expect

Dr Claudia Lakay12 March 2026Updated 10 April 2026

What Is IV Vitamin Therapy?

Intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This achieves much higher absorption rates — often 90–100% bioavailability compared to 20–50% with oral supplements.

Popular IV Formulations

Myers Cocktail

The most well-known formulation, containing:

  • Magnesium and calcium
  • B-complex vitamins
  • High-dose vitamin C

This combination supports energy production, immune function, and cellular repair.

Other Infusions

  • High-dose vitamin C — immune defence
  • Glutathione — antioxidant support and skin health
  • B12 injections — energy and neurological function

Who Can Benefit?

IV vitamin therapy may benefit a wide range of individuals:

  • Those experiencing chronic fatigue or frequent illness
  • People under high physical or emotional stress
  • Athletes seeking faster recovery after training
  • People with digestive conditions that impair nutrient absorption (IBS, Crohn's)
  • Anyone wanting a wellness boost before travel or during cold and flu season

What to Expect at Your Session

A typical session at NeoHealth takes 30 to 60 minutes:

  1. Consultation with Dr Lakay to assess health history, medications, and goals
  2. A small IV cannula is placed in your arm
  3. You can read, use your phone, or rest during the infusion
  4. Most patients describe the process as relaxing and pain-free
  5. Energy boost often felt within hours

Safety

All infusions at NeoHealth are administered by Dr Lakay using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients in a sterile clinical environment. Side effects are generally minimal:

  • Mild bruising at the IV site
  • Warm sensation during infusion
  • Slight metallic taste

Patients with kidney disease, heart failure, or certain allergies require careful evaluation first. Book a consultation to discuss whether IV vitamin therapy is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an IV vitamin therapy session take?

A typical IV vitamin therapy session at NeoHealth takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Most patients describe the process as relaxing and pain-free, and many feel an energy boost within hours.

Is IV vitamin therapy safe?

Yes, when administered by a trained medical professional. All infusions at NeoHealth use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients in a sterile environment. Patients with kidney disease, heart failure, or certain allergies require evaluation first.

Who benefits most from IV vitamin therapy?

People experiencing chronic fatigue, frequent illness, high stress, athletes seeking recovery, and those with digestive conditions that impair nutrient absorption tend to benefit most. It's also popular before travel and during cold and flu season.

About the Author

Dr Claudia Lakay

Dispensing General Practitioner & Co-founder

Stellenbosch graduate. Trained in the rural Eastern Cape before practising in East London. One of the few female GPs in George offering dedicated women's health — pap smears, IUD insertion, hormonal c...

MBChB (Stellenbosch University)

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