Exact standard formulation
| Ingredient | Typical dose | Mechanism of action | Osmolarity contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced L-glutathione (GSH), compounded, commonly 200 mg/mL | 600–2,000 mg (3–10 mL of 200 mg/mL) | Tripeptide (glutamate–cysteine–glycine) whose free thiol neutralizes peroxides via glutathione peroxidase, conjugates toxins via glutathione S-transferase, and regenerates vitamins C and E | ≈ 6.5 mOsm per gram when buffered as the sodium salt; ≈ 1,300 mOsm/L in undiluted 200 mg/mL stock |
| 0.9% NaCl diluent for push | Drawn up to a total of 10–20 mL | Reduces vein irritation and lets the nurse push slowly and evenly | Diluted push ≈ 800 mOsm/L |
| 0.9% NaCl piggyback (alternative) | 50–100 mL minibag | Lets the dose run over 15–20 minutes instead of a hand push | 1 g in 100 mL ≈ 355 mOsm/L; 2 g ≈ 400 mOsm/L |
| 0.9% NaCl flush | 10 mL before and after | Clears vitamin-bag residue from the line so glutathione does not contact ascorbate, zinc or other additives | 308 mOsm/L |
Why glutathione is given after the vitamin bag
Glutathione’s activity depends on the free sulfhydryl (–SH) group on its cysteine. That group is easily oxidized to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), the inactive form. Oxidation speeds up in the presence of trace metals such as zinc and copper, in alkaline solutions, and in mixtures with redox-active compounds like ascorbic acid.
A Myers’ or immune bag contains exactly those ingredients. Published compatibility data for glutathione mixed into multi-ingredient vitamin bags are lacking, so the accepted practice is to keep it separate:
- Finish the vitamin or NAD+ bag.
- Flush the catheter with 10 mL of 0.9% NaCl.
- Give glutathione as a slow push or 50–100 mL saline piggyback.
- Flush again and remove the catheter after the observation period.
Saline is the standard diluent. Lactated Ringer’s and sterile water are not used for glutathione pushes, and dextrose solutions are avoided because compatibility is not established.
Push rate, piggyback rate and what patients feel
Undiluted glutathione stock is hypertonic, so even a diluted push should be slow.
| Method | Dose | Volume | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow IV push | 600–1,000 mg | 10 mL total with NS | 5–10 min |
| Slow IV push | 1,500–2,000 mg | 15–20 mL total with NS | 10–15 min |
| Saline piggyback | 600–2,000 mg | 50–100 mL NS | 15–20 min |
Pushed too quickly, glutathione can cause a sulfur taste, flushing, nausea, cramping at the site and lightheadedness. Slowing down usually resolves these. Allergic reactions are uncommon but possible, so the nurse watches for hives, wheeze or throat tightness during and after the push and keeps the emergency kit at hand.
Hepatoprotection, oxidative stress and the evidence
Every cell makes its own glutathione, with the liver producing the most. Levels fall during oxidative stress, in heavy alcohol use and in some chronic illnesses, which is the reasoning behind giving it directly. Oral glutathione is poorly absorbed in its standard form, so IV administration became popular.
Clinical evidence is limited:
- Liver: injectable glutathione is used for liver conditions in some European and Asian markets, but U.S.-standard trials showing benefit in healthy people are lacking. For acetaminophen overdose, the treatment that replenishes glutathione is N-acetylcysteine, an FDA-approved antidote, not glutathione itself.
- Neurology: a randomized pilot of IV glutathione in Parkinson’s disease, published in 2009, did not find a significant benefit over placebo.
- Exercise and recovery: data are mostly small or mechanistic.
- Skin lightening: evidence is weak, and regulators in several countries have warned against injectable glutathione marketed for skin whitening.
Fair description: glutathione is used for antioxidant support and may help some people feel better after illness, travel or exertion, but it is not proven to treat any disease.
Sourcing, storage and USP <797>
Injectable glutathione in the U.S. is compounded. Practices order it from a 503B outsourcing facility for office stock or a 503A pharmacy on patient-specific prescriptions. Bulk-substance eligibility for compounding is set by FDA and can change, so confirm current status with your pharmacy and request the certificate of analysis, including endotoxin and sterility results.
Glutathione is heat- and light-sensitive. Vials are typically refrigerated at 2–8 °C, protected from light, and used within the pharmacy’s beyond-use date. Mobile nurses carry them in a monitored medical refrigerator, not a cooler bag; see the cold-chain guide. Drawing a single dose from a vial into a syringe with saline at the bedside fits within the USP <797> immediate-use provision when administration starts within four hours.
Add-on and standalone pricing
As an add-on, glutathione typically costs $35–$60 in a lounge and $30–$65 on a mobile visit, often scaled by dose (for example 600 mg at the low end, 2,000 mg at the high end). Because it rides on the drip’s catheter, the marginal nursing time is 10–15 minutes.
Standalone push visits are offered by some lounges for patients who want only glutathione. They cost more than the add-on because a catheter or butterfly must be placed for one push, and mobile services usually require a minimum order or trip fee for a push-only visit.
To price glutathione with a base drip, open the Myers’ configurator or the immune configurator and select the glutathione add-on.
Who it is for and who it is not for
Glutathione is commonly paired with NAD+, Myers’, immune and recovery drips for healthy adults who want antioxidant support. It is a reasonable add-on only when the base drip is appropriate for the patient.
Compare related options: the NAD+ infusion, the high-dose vitamin C protocol and the beauty and glow drip, which often includes a glutathione push.
Lounge vs. mobile price benchmarks
| Setting | Typical price | What is included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lounge add-on | +$35–$60 | 600–2,000 mg slow push after a drip | Price often scales with dose |
| Mobile add-on | +$30–$65 | Same push during a home, hotel or office drip | No extra trip fee when added to a drip |
| Lounge standalone push | Varies; higher than add-on | Catheter or butterfly placed for one push | Not offered by every lounge |
| Mobile standalone push | Varies; minimum order or trip fee common | Nurse visit for a push only | Often cheaper to add to a drip |
| Push packages | Commonly discounted per push | Prepaid series of pushes | Check expiry and refund terms |
| Group event add-on | Same per-person add-on rate | Added to each participant’s drip | Group discounts usually apply to base drips only |
Prices are national self-pay medians; the drip configurator applies your state’s regional index, add-ons and group tiers.
Mandatory screening & contraindications
Required before the infusion
- Good Faith Exam and a prescriber order, since compounded injectable glutathione is a prescription product
- Asthma and reactive airway history
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding status
- Cancer treatment history and current chemotherapy or radiation
- Allergy history, including prior reactions to glutathione or sulfur-containing compounds
- Vial check: within beyond-use date, stored cold, solution clear
Contraindications & stop signals
- Absolute: known hypersensitivity to glutathione
- Absolute: vial past beyond-use date, cloudy, discolored or with a broken cold chain
- Relative: asthma or reactive airway disease
- Relative: pregnancy or breastfeeding (no safety data)
- Relative: active chemotherapy or radiation (oncologist approval required)
- Relative: any contraindication to the base drip it is paired with
Configure this protocol for your group or event
Choose mobile or lounge, volume, add-ons and participants; the estimate, safety flags and printable brief update instantly and carry into your booking request.
Where this protocol is in demand
Glutathione add-ons follow NAD+, beauty and recovery drip demand, which is strongest in these large lounge and resort markets.
For clinics offering this drip: Cold-Chain Logistics & Medication Storage in Mobile IV Vehicles · FDA Section 503A vs 503B Outsourcing Facilities: Sourcing Sterile IV Nutrients Legally · USP <797> Sterile Compounding Compliance and Immediate-Use Rules for IV Hydration Clinics.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn’t glutathione mixed into the IV bag?
Glutathione’s active sulfhydryl group oxidizes easily, especially near ascorbic acid, zinc and other vitamin-bag ingredients. Compatibility data are lacking, so nurses flush the line and give it separately after the bag.
How long does a glutathione IV push take?
Usually 5–15 minutes depending on dose, or 15–20 minutes as a small saline piggyback. A slow push avoids the sulfur taste, flushing and nausea that come with pushing too fast.
What dose of glutathione is typical?
Most menus offer 600 mg to 2,000 mg per push. The medical director’s protocol sets the dose and how often it can be repeated.
Does IV glutathione lighten skin?
Evidence is weak, and regulators in several countries have warned against injectable glutathione marketed for skin whitening. Reputable clinics do not sell it for that purpose.
Is glutathione safe if I have asthma?
Inhaled glutathione has caused bronchospasm in people with asthma, so many protocols treat asthma as a reason for caution or avoidance. Disclose your asthma history at your Good Faith Exam.
Can I get glutathione without a drip?
Some lounges offer push-only visits, but they cost more than the add-on because a catheter is placed for one push. Mobile services often require a minimum order.
Sources & standards reviewed
- Hauser RA, et al. Randomized, double-blind, pilot evaluation of intravenous glutathione in Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders, 2009 Wiley
- Bulk drug substances used in compounding under Section 503A and 503B of the FD&C Act U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations USP
- Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice Infusion Nurses Society
- Acetylcysteine injection prescribing information (acetaminophen overdose) U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Reviewed under the IVConnection clinical and regulatory review policy. Report a correction to clinical@ivconnection.com.