IV Boost is a form of IV vitamin therapy in which vitamins and minerals are given through a drip directly into a vein. You may also hear it called a vitamin drip or vitamin cocktail. It is based on the Myers cocktail, an IV formula in use for many years and named after a physician who used it over a long period.

How well vitamins and minerals taken by mouth are absorbed varies with your digestion, your diet and you as an individual. Given through an IV drip, they reach the bloodstream directly, so blood levels can rise higher than with oral intake.

IV Boost is a complementary treatment that supports a healthy lifestyle. It does not replace a balanced diet, and it is not offered as a treatment for any disease. Whether it suits you is decided after a medical examination at our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul.

The basic Myers cocktail formula usually contains:

• Magnesium: involved in muscle and nerve function and energy metabolism.
• Calcium: needed for muscle contraction, nerve signaling and bone health.
• B vitamins: help turn food into energy and support the nervous system.
• Vitamin C: an antioxidant vitamin that plays a role in collagen production and the immune system.

Depending on your needs, a glutathione and vitamin C add-on or alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant the body makes naturally, may be added. For the treatment that combines glutathione and vitamin C, see our Glutathione C page.

B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble: the body does not store them, and any excess is usually passed in the urine. Magnesium and calcium levels are regulated by the kidneys, so kidney function matters. The doctor tailors the content and doses after your examination, mainly based on kidney function, heart rhythm, blood test results and any medicines you take.

People usually consider IV Boost for the following reasons:

• Energy: to support general well-being during busy, tiring periods.
• Immunity: to provide vitamins and minerals that play a role in the immune system, as part of an immune system boosting plan.
• Recovery: to support recovery after intense exercise or demanding periods.
• Deficiencies: as support for certain deficiencies found in blood tests, or when a restricted diet or digestive problems affect absorption, if the doctor considers it appropriate.

Scientific evidence on the effects of IV vitamin therapy is limited. Fatigue can have many causes, such as thyroid problems, anemia or sleep disorders, so the underlying cause should be looked into first. A diagnosed condition should continue to be treated by the doctor who manages it.

Diet, sleep, stress and fluid intake also shape your response, so IV Boost is planned alongside lifestyle changes.

IV Boost is planned after a medical assessment and blood tests. You are asked about your health history and any medicines and supplements you take, and the doctor decides which tests are needed; kidney function and vitamin and mineral levels are key.

1. You are examined and your blood test results are reviewed.
2. The content of the drip is chosen for you.
3. A thin cannula is placed in a vein in your arm.
4. The drip is given slowly while you are monitored.

How long the drip takes depends on its content and volume. The flow rate is usually kept slow at first and adjusted to how you feel, while you rest, read or work. It is done under sterile conditions and medical supervision, and you can return to your day afterwards.

No special preparation is needed. Eat a light meal, drink enough water and wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily. If you have ever fainted when an IV line was placed, let the team know in advance.

Side effects of IV Boost are usually mild and short-lived:

• Warmth: a temporary feeling of warmth or flushing while magnesium is given.
• Dizziness: mild light-headedness, especially if you have not eaten.
• Cannula site: mild bruising, tenderness or a burning feeling.
• Taste: some vitamins can cause a brief taste in the mouth.

These mostly ease when the flow is slowed. As with any IV treatment, an allergic reaction, vein inflammation or infection may rarely occur. Tell the team straight away if you feel short of breath, itchy or notice palpitations.

Contact your doctor if swelling, redness or pain at the cannula site increases over the following hours.

High-dose vitamin drips can briefly affect some lab tests and blood glucose meter readings, so mention the drip if you have tests in the following days.