IV Drip Menu: 14 Protocols, Carrier Fluids & Prices

Master protocol comparison

All 14 intravenous protocols compared
Protocol	Carrier	Infusion time	Lounge	Mobile	Key screening
Myers’ Cocktail IV Protocol	250–1,000 mL NS or LR	45–60 min	$165–$225	$225–$295	Good Faith Exam by an MD, DO, NP or PA (synchronous telehealth in most states) before the
NAD+ IV Infusion Protocol (250 mg to 1,000 mg)	—	2–4 hours	$375–$850	$450–$1,100	Good Faith Exam by an MD, DO, NP or PA before the first infusion and when health history c
High-Dose Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) IV Protocol	—	—	$210–$290	$275–$375	Quantitative G6PD result documented before any dose above 15 g
Glutathione IV Push & Antioxidant Protocol (600 mg to 2,000 mg)	—	5–15 min	+$35–$60	+$30–$65	Good Faith Exam and a prescriber order, since compounded injectable glutathione is a presc
Lactated Ringer’s vs 0.9% Normal Saline in IV Therapy	—	—	$100–$145	$165–$225	Good Faith Exam by an MD, DO, NP or PA with a written order naming the carrier and volume
Acute Hangover, Dehydration & GI Recovery IV Protocol	1,000 mL Lactated Ringer’s	45–60 min	$195–$265	$250–$350	Confirmation that the patient is no longer intoxicated and can give informed consent
Intravenous Migraine & Refractory Headache Protocol	500–1,000 mL 0.9% NaCl	45–60 min	$195–$260	$250–$345	Red-flag screen (thunderclap onset, neurological deficit, fever with stiff neck, head trau
Athletic Performance & Marathon Recovery IV Protocol	1,000 mL Lactated Ringer’s	45–60 min	$215–$285	$275–$365	Good Faith Exam by an MD/DO, NP or PA with history, medications and allergies documented
Immune Defense & Viral Recovery IV Protocol	250–500 mL 0.9% NaCl	45–60 min	$210–$290	$275–$375	Good Faith Exam with history, medications, allergies and current symptoms
Prenatal Hydration & Hyperemesis Gravidarum (NVP) IV Protocol	1,000 mL NS or LR	60–120 min	$175–$250	$225–$325	Written order from the obstetric prescriber specifying fluid, additives, rate and visit fr
Post-Bariatric Surgery & GI Malabsorption IV Therapy	1,000 mL NS or LR	45–75 min	$150–$225	$200–$295	Surgeon or GI clearance, type and date of surgery, and the current supplement regimen
Hair, Skin & Cellular Glow IV Protocol	250–500 mL 0.9% NaCl	30–45 min	$175–$250	$225–$325	Good Faith Exam with history, medications and allergies documented
High-Altitude Sickness (AMS) & Executive Jet Lag IV Protocol	1,000 mL NS or LR	45–60 min	$150–$225	$225–$350	Good Faith Exam with travel history, ascent profile, medications and allergies
Outpatient Iron Infusions & Home Biologics (IVIG) Overview	100–250 mL NS (iron); per label (IVIG)	15 min to 6 h by product	—	—	Diagnosis and prescriber order from the treating specialist (hematology, nephrology, immun

Prices are 2025–2026 national self-pay benchmarks per person.

Every protocol monograph

Classic micronutrient infusion

Myers’ Cocktail IV Protocol

The Myers’ Cocktail is a magnesium, calcium, B-vitamin and ascorbic acid infusion that has been given in integrative practices since the 1970s and is now the anchor drip on most IV lounge and mobile menus.

Rate-controlled coenzyme infusion

NAD+ IV Infusion Protocol (250 mg to 1,000 mg)

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) infusions are the longest and most expensive drip on most menus because the dose has to run slowly, usually over two to four hours, to avoid chest pressure, cramping and nausea.

Pharmacologic ascorbate infusion

High-Dose Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) IV Protocol

Intravenous ascorbic acid reaches blood levels that oral vitamin C cannot, which is why doses from 5 g up to 50 g or more are used in immune-support menus and integrative oncology settings.

Thiol antioxidant push

Glutathione IV Push & Antioxidant Protocol (600 mg to 2,000 mg)

Glutathione is the body’s main intracellular antioxidant, and on IV menus it is almost always given as a slow push or small saline piggyback after a vitamin drip rather than mixed into the bag.

Carrier fluid comparison

Lactated Ringer’s vs 0.9% Normal Saline in IV Therapy

Every IV drip starts with a carrier fluid, and in U.S.

Rehydration and GI relief

Acute Hangover, Dehydration & GI Recovery IV Protocol

The hangover drip is the most booked mobile IV visit in nightlife and resort cities: a liter of Lactated Ringer’s with B vitamins and magnesium, plus prescription anti-nausea and pain medication when a prescriber orders them.

Acute headache infusion

Intravenous Migraine & Refractory Headache Protocol

A migraine drip combines saline, magnesium sulfate and B vitamins with prescription pain and anti-nausea drugs when a prescriber orders them.

Endurance recovery infusion

Athletic Performance & Marathon Recovery IV Protocol

An athletic recovery drip is a liter of Lactated Ringer’s with magnesium, B-complex and, commonly, a compounded amino acid blend, given after long training blocks, races or tournament weekends.

Micronutrient immune support

Immune Defense & Viral Recovery IV Protocol

An immune defense drip combines moderate-dose ascorbic acid, a small dose of zinc and B vitamins in saline, often with a glutathione push and an intramuscular vitamin D3 shot alongside.

Obstetric-supervised hydration

Prenatal Hydration & Hyperemesis Gravidarum (NVP) IV Protocol

IV fluids for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy are medical care, ordered by the obstetric team and given under its plan, not a wellness menu item.

Malabsorption replacement infusion

Post-Bariatric Surgery & GI Malabsorption IV Therapy

After a gastric sleeve or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and in conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and POTS, the gut cannot always keep up with fluid and micronutrient needs.

Aesthetic micronutrient drip

Hair, Skin & Cellular Glow IV Protocol

A beauty or glow drip pairs biotin, vitamin C and B vitamins in a small saline bag, usually followed by a glutathione push.

Mountain and travel recovery

High-Altitude Sickness (AMS) & Executive Jet Lag IV Protocol

Visitors flying into Denver and driving straight up to Aspen, Vail, Park City or Tahoe often feel awful the first night: headache, nausea, poor sleep.

Medically necessary infusion

Outpatient Iron Infusions & Home Biologics (IVIG) Overview

IV iron, immune globulin (IVIG) and biologic infusions sit on the medical side of the infusion world: they are prescribed for diagnosed conditions, usually billed to insurance after prior authorization, and delivered in infusion centers or at home by specialty pharmacy nurses.

Carrier fluids & osmolarity

Every drip starts with a carrier. Peripheral veins tolerate final solutions up to roughly 900 mOsm/L; above that, phlebitis and infiltration rise, which is why additives are diluted in at least 250–500 mL and why high-dose vitamin C is mixed in sterile water rather than saline.

Carrier fluids and approximate osmolarity
Fluid	Osmolarity	Composition (mEq/L)	Typical use in IV therapy
0.9% Sodium Chloride (normal saline)	≈308 mOsm/L	Na⁺ 154 · Cl⁻ 154	Default carrier; compatible with most additives including calcium
Lactated Ringer’s	≈273 mOsm/L	Na⁺ 130 · K⁺ 4 · Ca²⁺ 2.7 · Cl⁻ 109 · lactate 28	Large-volume rehydration (hangover, athletic); avoid with ceftriaxone
Sterile Water for Injection	0 mOsm/L (never given alone)	—	Diluent for very high-dose vitamin C to keep the final bag near isotonic
D5W	≈252 mOsm/L	Dextrose 50 g/L	Rare in wellness; thiamine first in malnourished or hyperemesis patients

Deep dive: Lactated Ringer’s vs 0.9% normal saline.

Screening that applies to every protocol

Before any drip

Good Faith Exam by a licensed MD/DO, NP or PA and a written order
Allergy, medication and pregnancy history
Baseline blood pressure, heart rate, SpO₂ and temperature within protocol limits
Heart failure, kidney disease or fluid restriction ruled out for 1 L volumes
Signed informed consent naming the exact formulation

Send to emergency care instead

Chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting
Confusion, vomiting and headache after heavy water intake (possible hyponatremia)
Worst-headache-of-life or new neurological deficits
Vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain or signs of sepsis

Price a drip for yourself or a group

Pick a protocol, mobile or lounge, add-ons and head count; screening flags and a printable brief update instantly.

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Frequently asked questions

Which IV drip is best for dehydration?

Plain isotonic fluid does most of the work. A liter of Lactated Ringer’s or normal saline over 30–45 minutes treats mild to moderate dehydration in healthy adults; vitamins add cost more than rehydration.

What is the difference between a Myers’ Cocktail and an immune drip?

The Myers’ Cocktail is a balanced magnesium, calcium, B-complex, B12 and modest vitamin C formula. Immune drips push vitamin C to 5–15 g and add zinc and glutathione, which raises the screening bar (G6PD above 15 g, kidney stone history).

Why do NAD+ infusions take so long?

NAD+ causes chest tightness, cramping and nausea when infused quickly, so it is titrated over 2–4 hours depending on dose. That nurse time is why NAD+ costs several times more than a standard drip.

Are IV vitamin drips FDA approved?

The individual ingredients are FDA-approved drugs, but wellness uses such as energy, hangover or beauty are generally off-label and not FDA-approved indications. Evidence ranges from solid (rehydration, magnesium for migraine in emergency settings) to limited (NAD+, glow drips).

How often can I get an IV drip?

There is no universal limit; frequency is set by the ordering prescriber based on the formulation and your health. Weekly wellness drips are common, while high-dose vitamin C, NAD+ and anything with prescription drugs need closer review.

IV drip formulations, carrier fluids & micronutrient protocols

The eight protocols patients book most

Pure Hydration

Myers’ Cocktail

Hangover & GI Recovery

Immune Defense

Athletic Recovery

Migraine Relief

NAD+ Infusion

Beauty & Glow