IV Vitamin Therapy

A typical IV vitamin therapy visit runs 60 to 90 minutes total: 15 to 20 minutes for the consultation and screening, then the infusion itself which depends on the protocol.

Before the visit. Eat a normal meal 1 to 2 hours before the visit and drink water. Bring any recent blood results and your current medication list. Wear loose clothing with easy access to your arm.

At the visit. The consultation reviews your indication, screens for contraindications, and confirms which protocol is appropriate. The drip is prepared with the specific micronutrient mix matched to your indication. IV access is established (small needle, brief sting, then the infusion runs). You sit comfortably during the infusion (30 to 60 minutes depending on protocol). Vitals are checked at intervals; you can read, work on your phone, or rest.

After the visit. Most patients drive themselves home and resume normal activities within hours. Hydrate well for the rest of the day. Some protocols (notably high-dose Vitamin C) can shift bowel habit briefly; this is normal and self- limiting.

Repeat sessions. Some indications benefit from a short series (3 to 6 sessions over 4 to 8 weeks). Others are single-session. The plan is discussed at the consultation and adjusted based on response.

IV vitamin therapy is widely marketed for indications where the evidence is weak, the oral route works just as well, or the underlying condition needs different treatment. We are direct with patients about this:

• Kidney disease. IV electrolyte and vitamin loads can be dangerous in patients with reduced kidney function. We screen creatinine and eGFR before high-dose protocols.
• Cardiac conditions. IV magnesium, calcium, and fluid loads can affect heart rhythm and pre-load. Patients with arrhythmia, heart failure, or significant valve disease need cardiology input first.
• Active infection. IV access through inflamed tissue carries higher infection risk. Acute infection at the IV site is a contraindication.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most IV vitamin protocols are not adequately studied in pregnancy or lactation; we default to oral routes during these periods unless there is a documented clinical indication.
• Anti-coagulation. Patients on warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban need their INR or last clinical review checked before IV access.
• Self-treating fatigue without investigation. Persistent fatigue often has an identifiable cause (iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, sleep disorder, depression, perimenopause, vitamin B12 or D deficiency on bloods). A drip without investigation can mask the underlying problem and delay diagnosis. We investigate first.
• Cosmetic indications without clinical context. "Anti-ageing", "skin glow", or "hangover recovery" framings are marketing-driven, not clinical. Where there is a real underlying issue (sleep deprivation, dehydration, alcohol overuse) we treat that, not the symptom.

When the indication does not fit IV vitamin therapy, we explain what does fit. That might be oral supplementation, a women's health consultation, a chronic disease workup, sleep medicine, or psychiatry referral. The drip is not the goal; the right care is the goal.

The consultation fee is billed separately from the drip cost. The consultation is generally claimable from your medical aid as a standard GP consultation. The drip cost varies by protocol and is typically self-paid because most South African medical aid schemes do not cover IV vitamin therapy unless there is a clinically established deficiency on bloods (e.g., severe Vitamin B12 deficiency, documented iron deficiency anaemia, post- bariatric malabsorption).

Documented deficiency cases. If your bloods show a deficiency that meets your scheme's clinical criteria, the IV protocol may be claimable. Reception confirms the expected billing and ICD-10 code at booking. We submit the claim on your behalf where appropriate.

Out-of-pocket cases. For wellness, recovery, and supplementation indications without documented deficiency, the drip is self-paid. Reception quotes you on the day before infusion begins so there are no surprises. Card and EFT are accepted; cash also accepted.

For chronic patients on regular IV protocols (e.g., ongoing B12 supplementation for documented deficiency), see also our chronic medication service for prescription co-management.