Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work Aug 19, 2019 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post In recent years, IV vitamin treatments have soared in popularity. Celebrities and social media influencers say the treatments are the latest wellness must-have. It sounds simple enough: Just 45 minutes to get an IV treatment packed with vitamins and minerals. The infusions can be done in the comfort of your own home, in a clinic setting, or even at music festivals. The treatments are advertised with a host of reported benefits. In addition to the most widely cited benefit of curing hangovers, IV vitamin treatments can supposedly help fight exhaustion and boost the immune system. However, there is little scientific evidence to back these claims. "These treatments are mostly harmless and really just result in people making expensive urine." Are IV treatments safe "For the most part, people report feeling better after these treatments because it's a rapid way to receive hydration," says Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. "If you've been sick or out drinking, you're dehydrated—so hydrating will make you feel better." Proponents of the therapy say the IV drips work because they bypass the stomach and go straight into the blood stream, but that isn't necessarily a good thing, says Dr. Torbati. "When you put something straight into the bloodstream, you bypass all of your body's built-in safeguards and filters," says Dr. Torbati. "You want to make sure you know exactly what's in it." It's also important to make sure you're getting the treatment in a safe, clean environment. Be sure the IV is administered by a trained professional using only sterile needles. Read: The Science of Hangovers Sam S Torbati MD Emergency Medicine Sam S Torbati MD Emergency Medicine 310-423-8780 Call to Schedule Do IV treatments work For patients with certain gastrointestinal conditions, IV vitamin treatments can help provide necessary nutrition that their stomachs can't absorb. But most people can get the nutrients they need from food or a multivitamin. "The most important thing they're getting is water with salt, which you could get from a sports drink," says Dr. Torbati. "These treatments are mostly harmless and really just result in people making expensive urine." Tags Expert Advice Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility