The question most people will pose prior to their first IV drip, is, what will I really feel? This is the short answer. In 15 to 30 minutes of an IV drip session at Vitadrip IV Therapy Edmonton, most clients report a gradual build up of energy, clarity of mind and physical comfort. Those results are usually more pronounced by the time 24 hours are passed. This article will take you through each step of the IV therapy experience, before, during and after, so that you can come to your session prepared and leave knowing exactly what your body went through.
Key Takeaways
- IV therapy is the delivery of nutrients directly into the bloodstream bypassing the digestive system altogether.
- The majority of the clients experience a tangible change in energy and hydration within the first 30 minutes of a session.
- The effects usually peak between 12-24 hours after the treatment and the effects may last several days to a week depending on the formula.
- It is important to prepare properly before your session (light eating and proper pre-hydration).
- At Vitadrip IV, all the sessions are performed by licensed nurses using pharmaceutical grade formulas in a clinical environment.
What Is IV Therapy? A Precise Definition
IV therapy is a medical treatment where a solution of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, antioxidants, and fluids is administered directly through the bloodstream with the help of a small catheter inserted in a vein. Since the solution bypasses the digestive system, the solution provides nutrients at nearly 100 percent bioavailability, a figure that oral supplements can hardly reach. Research published by the National Institutes of Health has shown that the absorption of oral vitamin C is only 50 percent at moderate levels and decreases further at higher levels, with intravenous administration being 70 times greater at plasma levels.
An average session of Vitadrip IV lasts between 45-75 minutes. Depending on the formula chosen, IV infusions cost between $150 and $300 and IM injections cost between $40 and 70. The licensed nurses in the clinic perform a short health intake prior to every session to ensure that the treatment is suitable, and to individualise the treatment.
Before Your IV Session: What You Should Know
What to Eat and Drink Before an IV Drip
Coming to an IV therapy session with a full stomach makes it more likely that they will experience light-headedness during treatment. Most clinical IV providers such as Vitadrip IV recommend that you eat a light meal one to two hours before your appointment. It is enough to have a balanced meal with complex carbohydrates and a certain amount of protein. It is best to avoid heavy and fatty foods right beforehand as they may slow down circulation.
It is also important to pre-hydrate. Consumption of 500-750 ml of water during the two hours prior to your session will help to dilate your veins, and will make the insertion of your catheter much more comfortable, and will increase the absorption of the drip itself. The caffeine and alcohol should be kept to a minimum on the treatment day.
What a First Consultation at Vitadrip IV Looks Like
A licensed clinician at Vitadrip IV will look at your health intake form before a drip starts. This includes your existing medications, allergies, recent illnesses and your stated wellness objectives. The consultation lasts about five minutes. The clinician then orders a formula out of the menu of the clinic which includes the Glutathione IV, NAD+ Therapy, and the Immune Booster drip edmonton.
According to Dr. Mark Houston, a specialist in integrative cardiovascular medicine, the principle of personalised IV formula depending on individual health status is much more effective than the standardised supplement regimens – which is the guiding principle of the Vitadrip IV protocol.
During the Drip: What Your Body Experiences Minute by Minute
The First 10 to 15 Minutes
As soon as the catheter is inserted, the drip will start at a measured rate. Most clients experience a slight coolness which creeps up the arm at the point of insertion. This is the liquid that flows into the vein and it is all normal. A small number of clients report an unpleasant metallic flavor when the formula includes zinc or some of the B vitamins. This feeling disappears soon.
Blood pressure and heart rate are kept at a steady level during a properly conducted session. The Vitadrip IV clinical team monitors the clients during the drip to make sure they feel comfortable and to adjust the drip rate in case of necessity.
To review in detail possible side effects, please consult the Vitadrip IV guide on IV therapy side effects.
Mid-Session: Normal Sensations vs. Warning Signs
| Normal Sensations | When to Inform the Clinician |
| Mild warmth at the insertion site | Sharp or spreading pain in the arm |
| Slight drowsiness or relaxation | Dizziness or a feeling of faintness |
| Mild tingling if magnesium is included | Chest tightness or shortness of breath |
| Improved mood or mental calm | Redness, swelling, or hardness at IV site |
| Faint metallic taste (B vitamins, zinc) | Nausea that does not pass within minutes |
The vast majority of IV therapy sessions are conducted without any problems. The incidence of adverse events is low in case of treatment performed by licensed professionals with the use of pharmaceutical-grade products, which is the standard at Vitadrip IV. To have a complete overview of the possible side effects, visit the Vitadrip IV guide on IV therapy side effects.
Right After IV Therapy: The First Two Hours
Energy, Mood, and Mental Clarity
Most of the Vitadrip IV clients report that there is a significant change in their energy levels, within 20 to 30 minutes of a session ending. This is the most evident following energy-targeted recipes like the Myers Cocktail or NAD+ Therapy. The enhancement is not the sudden jittery rise related to caffeine. It is more enduring, stable and is accompanied with some feeling of mental sanity. Some of the clients report that they feel like they are actually having a rest after weeks.
According to Dr. Alan Gaby, author of Nutritional Medicine, and one of the most quoted researchers in IV micronutrient therapy, the following is always true: Such effects can be witnessed in a single session.
Physical Signs Your Body Is Responding
More than energy and mood, the physical indicators of an IV drip at work are not quite obvious but there nonetheless. Within hours, skin can feel a little more supple especially after Glutathione or Radiance formulas. In case of muscle soreness, which occurs before the session, the soreness is usually reduced significantly, particularly when recovery formulas are taken, which contain amino acids and magnesium. Clients who arrived in a dehydrated state will have their headache reduced and their urine regaining its usual clear or pale yellow colour, a sure sign of cellular rehydration.
24 Hours Later: What Clients Notice Most
Skin, Focus, and Fatigue: The Real Results Timeline
It is at the 24-hour mark that the majority of clients will see the most comprehensive set of benefits. The level of fatigue is usually less than it was prior to the session. The effects of focus and work performance tend to be in a direction that is qualitatively different to caffeine dependence. Patients who have undergone Glutathione IV Therapy complain of a noticeable change in the skin tone, smoother and evenly distributed complexion with less dullness. Athletes and physically active clients report that they have faster muscle recovery than their baseline.
The time schedule depends upon the personal health condition, the formula to be taken, and the initial nutrient levels. The clients who are severely deficient in B12 or Vitamin D, e.g., may have more dramatic results than those who are already moderately well-nourished.
How Long Do IV Therapy Effects Last?
The impact of one IV drip session is normally three to seven days on average with most clients. The benefits of hydration and energy are experienced the most acutely during the first 24-48 hours. The benefits of Glutathione or Vitamin C formula on the skin and immune system may last as long as two weeks. Customers undergoing regular IV therapy every week or every two weeks report progressive, long-term improvements in energy, immunity, and overall wellbeing.
Is IV Therapy Safe? What Science and Clinicians Say
IV therapy when used in a clinical setting by trained professionals is thought to be safe in most healthy adults. The treatment has a long history, in hospital medicine, where intravenous nutrient delivery has long been standard practice. Qualifications of the administering clinician, quality of used formula and completeness of health assessment of the patient prior to treatment are the key safety determinants in wellness settings.
In Vitadrip IV, all the sessions are conducted by a licensed nurse, and all formulas are of pharmaceutical quality. The pre-treatment consultation identifies contraindications such as kidney disease, heart conditions and known allergies to certain compounds. These are not the normal formalities followed. They form the basis of clinical knowledge that renders the treatment effective and safe.
The IV vitamin therapy is not considered illegal by Health Canada but is permitted when administered by a regulated health professional. Vitadrip IV will be fully compliant with Alberta health regulations.
Booking Your First IV Drip at Vitadrip IV Edmonton
Vitadrip IV is located at Suite 2367, 8882 – 170 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta. The clinic also provides a complete line of IV drip services which include energy, hydration, skin health, immune support and recovery services. The clinic also offers a variety of IM injections to clients who prefer a faster, needle-free drip option.
First-time customers will get a 10 percent discount on their initial visit. The bookings can be made online using Vitadrip IV appointment portal. The session cost includes consultations which last no longer than five minutes prior to your drip commencing.
To see a breakdown of all the treatments that are available, go to the Vitadrip IV Drips page. To obtain pricing data that is specific to Edmonton, the IV therapy cost edmonton guide offers a complete comparison of the types of formulas, and the price ranges of these formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does IV therapy work?
The initial effects that most clients experience, which are usually enhanced energy and less fatigue, are felt within 20 and 30 minutes of a session starting. The full effects, such as the improved skin color and the maintained mental clarity, tend to be the most noticeable in 12-24 hours after the treatment.
What should I eat before an IV drip?
Have a modest meal with complex carbohydrates and protein one to two hours prior to your session. Previously drink 500 to 750 ml of water. Do not consume alcohol, heavy fatty foods, and excessive caffeine on the day of treatment.
How long do the effects of IV therapy last?
Most clients have effects of a normal IV drip session that last three to seven days. Clients who attend regular sessions (on a weekly or biweekly basis) report increasingly long-lasting and stable benefits over time.
Is IV therapy safe for first-time clients?
Yes, under the administration of a licensed clinician after a proper assessment of health intake. In Vitadrip IV, every session is administered by registered nurses and based on the pharmaceutical grade formulas. A short consultation is a screening of any conditions that would necessitate an altered treatment or precaution.
What is the difference between an IV drip and an IM injection?
IV drip entails a greater amount of nutrients into the blood over 45 to 75 minutes through a catheter. IM injection is a smaller targeted dose of a medication that is administered into the muscle tissue within less than 15 minutes without an IV line.
Conclusion
The use of IV therapy is not a fad. It is a clinically based approach to nutrient delivery to the body in a level of absorption unattainable by oral supplements. The knowledge of what occurs to your body, before, during, and after a session will eliminate the doubt that many first-time clients have.The experience at Vitadrip IV is meant to be as medically sound as it is practical given the experience of the first 30 minutes and the overall improvement of the skin and eyesight that are evident in the following 24 hours.In case you are thinking about your first session, the following step is clear. Make a reservation at Vitadrip IV, arrive light, hydrated and then allow the licensed clinical team to take you through a treatment that is designed around your unique health objectives.
About the Author
This article was prepared by the Vitadrip IV editorial team and reviewed by a licensed clinician practising in Edmonton, Alberta. Vitadrip IV is a medical wellness clinic specialising in intravenous vitamin therapy and IM injections. All clinical claims in this article are aligned with current evidence and Alberta healthcare standards.
