What You Want to Know About the Most Common IV Infusion Vitamins

IV vitamin therapy is an excellent way to help your patients feel better faster. IV hydration helps detoxify the body, eliminating free radicals that contribute to impaired immune function. The right balance of electrolytes, fluids, vitamins, and antioxidants helps combat fatigue and low energy symptoms.

B vitamins help increase energy by converting food into energy. Amino acids, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins stimulate fat metabolism and muscle repair and reduce inflammation, giving your clients the endurance boost they may need to work out and enhance post-workout recovery (Wells, 2020).

Do you have clients that suffer from dry skin and hair from living in a dry climate like Colorado? The infusion example below (Figure A) is a nice blend for hair, skin, and nails. Biotin, also known as B7, can help maintain the health of the nervous system, liver, eyes, hair, and skin. Biotin aids fat metabolism, which is vital for the formation of new tissue.

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system by protecting cells from free radical damage and supporting optimal cell health and a healthy liver. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) boosts the immune system while helping with inflammation.

B-complex is a great immune system booster and digestion regulator; it aids in fighting fatigue (Empower Pharmacy, n.d.b,c,d,h). B-12 (Hydroxocobalamin) plays a crucial role in metabolizing serotonin, which regulates your mood. It also helps to burn fat, turn carbohydrates into energy, and manufacture new proteins (Empower Pharmacy, n.d.e. & PDR, n.d.).

Figure A: Example Infusion Recipe

• 1L NS

• Ascorbic Acid- 2 grams (500 mg/ml): 4 ml

• B Complex – (B1- 100, B2-2, B3-100, B5-2, B6- 2 mg/ml): 2 ml

• Biotin 60 mcg (10mg/ml): 0.6 ml

• B12 (Hydroxocobalamin) 2mg (2 mg/ml): 2 ml

• Glutathione 200 mg (200 mg/ml): 1 ml

  • Give after the infusion is complete. Mix in a 10 ml saline syringe and push over 3-5 minutes directly into the IV closest to the patient arm. Flush with 10 ml of normal saline.

The Myers’ Drip is a famous infusion recipe created by Dr. John Myers. It is one of the most used and studied IV therapy combinations to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle cramping while boosting energy and immunity. Dr. Myers noted in his studies that it improved athletic performance and showed positive results in patients with migraines, fatigue, respiratory tract infections, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and seasonal allergies. It contains Magnesium, B Complex, B12, Ascorbic Acid, and Calcium Gluconate (Gaby, 2002). Magnesium enhances the nervous and muscular systems to aid in recovery and help decrease anxiety. Calcium Gluconate’s role in building bones and supporting their health is well known, but it is also essential for nerve conduction, blood coagulation, and electrical conduction in the muscular tissue of the heart (Empower Pharma, n.d.,f).

Other minerals and vitamins can aid in recovery after a workout or boost endurance before exercise. L-Arginine may enhance exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygenation to muscles. It also stimulates the release of growth hormones, insulin, and other substances. Taurine may increase heart health by reducing high blood pressure and decreasing resistance to blood flow in your blood vessel walls. A study showed a decrease in inflammation, fatigue, and muscle damage during a workout. Taurine can also remove waste. Another study showed Taurine caused muscles to work harder and for longer and increased the muscles’ ability to contract and produce force (Empower Pharmacy, n.d.a,g).

Do you have clients feeling rundown or getting over a cold? You might see infusions that contain Zinc, Glutathione, and Ascorbic Acid. Zinc reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory proteins and can reduce your risk of chronic inflammation. Zinc plays a critical role in immune function, and research has shown that people who take zinc during a cold have reduced symptoms and a faster recovery. Your body needs zinc to create new cells, especially fiber-like tissues and collagen in your skin. Zinc can support wound healing by helping these types of cells regenerate after an injury (Empower Pharmacy, n.d.b,d,i).

These Vitamin Infusions and numerous combination recipes can offer many benefits to your clients. You can customize the recipe based on the symptoms your client wants to address, as most vitamins are compatible. Vitamin infusions are an easy and fast way to help your clients feel their best!

See the table below for more information about contraindications, side effects, toxicity, and storage temperature.

​Vitamin	Contraindications	​Side Effects	​S/Sx of Toxicity	Benefits
Magnesium Chloride Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding Heart or kidney disease On a magnesium supplement at home Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis Taking Mg with muscle relaxers at the same time may increase side effects	​Flushing Sweating Abdominal cramping Diarrhea May cause lower blood pressure or decreased respiratory rate	Hypotension Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Facial flushing Retention of urine Ileus Respiratory depression Muscle weakness Cardiac arrest	Enhances the nervous and muscular system to aid in recovery and help decrease anxiety
​Ascorbic acid Storage Temp: 36-46F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​If receiving chemotherapy, the client should notify their oncologist Pregnant or breastfeeding With Diabetes mellitus, it may cause falsely decreased glucose concentrations Hemochromatosis may be at risk for iron toxicity If on an iron supplement, may have decreased absorption if receiving a high dose ascorbic acid therapy Renal diseases are at increased risk for renal stones following large doses of ascorbic acid	​Diarrhea Abdominal cramping GI upset	​Flushing Nausea Vomiting Headache Abdominal cramps Dizziness Diarrhea GI upset	​Boosts the immune system while helping with inflammation
​B Complex B1 (thiamine) B2 (riboflavin) B3 (niacinamide) B5 (dexpanthenol) B6 (pyridoxine) Storage Temp: 36-46F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding	​Diarrhea Feeling as though the body is swollen	​Anxiety Itching Respiratory distress Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Anorexia Headache Irritability Tremor Palpitations Skin flushing Confirm no previous adverse vitamin B or vitamin H allergies	Great immune system booster Digestion regulator Aids in fighting fatigue Necessary for general healthy skin and muscle, brain, and nerve functionality
​B6 (Pyridoxine in B Complex) Storage Temp: 36-46F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Sensitivity to ingredients Pregnant or breastfeeding	​Lower blood pressure May impact blood glucose May increase the risk of bleeding May cause GI upset May cause tingling or numbness	​Anxiety Itching Respiratory distress Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Anorexia Headache Irritability Tremor Palpitations Skin flushing	​Great immune system booster Digestion regulator Aids in fighting fatigue Necessary for general healthy skin, muscle, brain, and nerve functionality
​B12 (Hydroxocobalamin) Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding Hypersensitivity to cobalt moiety or cobalamin molecule due to risk of anaphylaxis Leber’s disease Severe megaloblastic anemia	​Diarrhea Itching Swelling of body Cannot be given more than once per week; ask when their last dose occurred	Anaphylaxis, death Pulmonary edema Polycythemia vera Congestive heart failure Peripheral vascular thrombosis	​Plays a crucial role in metabolizing serotonin, which is responsible for regulating your mood Helps to burn fat and turn carbohydrates into energy and manufacture new proteins
​Calcium Gluconate Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding Ventricular fibrillation Hypercalcemia Chronic kidney failure	​May cause a change in heart rhythms	​May decrease blood pressure or cause a change in heart rhythms May cause tingling or warm sensations GI upset or constipation	​Has a role in building bones and supporting their health Important for nerve conduction, blood coagulation, and electrical conduction in the muscular tissue of the heart
​Glutathione Storage Temp: 36-46F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Caution with a Sulfa allergy! Pregnant or breastfeeding Caution in those with a history of asthma Must be given as IV push slowly over 3-5 minutes, dilute with NS push; not to be given in NS 1L bag If the client tolerates one dose of 200mg Glutathione, subsequent doses may be increased to 400 mg	​May exacerbate asthma symptoms	​None noted	​It is a powerful antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system by protecting cells from free radical damage and supporting optimal cell health and a healthy liver
​Taurine Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding Few adverse effects in doses up to 3g	​Can lower blood pressure; use caution if on blood pressure medications	​None noted	​Increases heart health by reducing high blood pressure and the resistance to blood flow in your blood vessel walls Decreases inflammation, fatigue, and muscle damage during a workout Removes waste products that lead to fatigue and cause muscle burn, protecting muscles from cell damage and oxidative stress Causes muscles to work harder and for longer, increasing the muscles’ ability to contract and produce force
​Biotin Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding May falsely cause low troponin Medications/ Substances that may decrease efficacy of biotin Atropine, hyoscyamine, phenobarbital, scopolamine, belladonna alkaloids, ergotamine, carbamazepine, excessive alcohol, raw egg white, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, and primidone	​None Noted	​None Noted	​Hair, skin, and nail health Can help depression or peripheral neuropathy
​L-Arginine Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency (GAMT): People with this inherited condition are unable to convert arginine and other similar chemicals into creatine; to prevent complications from this condition, avoid L-arginine supplements In renal or hepatic impairment and electrolyte imbalances	​May cause stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea Low blood pressure Flushing Headache Injection site skin irritation (If irritation at IV site, slow down rate of drip)	Maculopapular rash with reddening and swelling of face-stop infusion (may need to administer Benadryl)	​May enhance exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygenation to muscles Stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances in the body
​Zinc Sulfate Storage Temp: 68-77F ***Can be mixed with all vitamins in this table	​Pregnant or breastfeeding Caution in clients with renal impairment Caution with clients taking tetracyclines, quinolones, penicillins; zinc inhibits absorption if taken concurrently Caution with sulfa allergies Too much zinc can reduce copper levels	​Nausea Vomiting Gastric irritation Elevation of serum alkaline phosphate, amylase, and lipase	​Hematuria Hematemesis Acute tubular necrosis Diarrhea.	​Reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory proteins Can reduce your risk of chronic inflammation Plays a critical role in immune function, and research has shown that people who take zinc during a cold have reduced symptoms and a faster recovery The body needs zinc to create new cells, especially fiber-like tissues and collagen in your skin; supports wound healing by helping these types of cells regenerate after an injury

References

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.). Calcium Gluconate Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharma.com/product/calcium-gluconate-injection/

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.a). Arginine HCl Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/arginine-hcl-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.b). Ascorbic Acid Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/ascorbic-acid-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.c). Biotin Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/biotin-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.d). Glutathione Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/glutathione-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.e). Hydroxocobalamin Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/hydroxocobalamin-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.f). Magnesium Chloride Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/magnesium-chloride-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.g). Taurine Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/taurine-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.h). Vitamin B-Complex Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/vitamin-b-complex-injection

Empower Pharmacy. (n.d.i). Zinc Sulfate Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/zinc-sulfate-injection

Gaby, A.R. (2002). Intravenous nutrient therapy: the "Myers' cocktail". Altern Med Rev, 7(5):389-403. PMID: 12410623. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12410623/

PDR. (n.d.). hydroxocobalamin - Drug Summary. Prescribers’ Digital Reference. Retrieved October 31, 2022 from

https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Cyanokit-hydroxocobalamin-2117

Wells, C., Butcher, R., & McCormack, S. (2020). Intravenous Multivitamin Therapy Use in Hospital or Outpatient Settings: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines [Internet]. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. PMID: 33523616.