Common Types of IV Infusions Explained (Myers’ Cocktail, NAD+, Glutathione & More)

Introduction

IV therapy is far from being one-size-fits-all. In fact, there's a whole menu of IV infusions out there, each tailored for specific goals. If you've ever felt confused by names like "Myer's Mix/Cocktail" or "NAD+ drip", this guide will clear things up. We'll explain some of the most common types of IV infusions, what ingredients they contain and what benefits they claim to offer. This matters because understanding the options helps you choose the right IV for your needs (and avoid unnecessary treatments). Let's demystify these IV concoctions.

The “Myers’ Mix” – The Original IV Vitamin Blend

One of the first and most popular nutrient IV formulas is the Myers’ Cocktail. Developed by Dr. John Myers in the 1970s, this blend set the template for modern IV vitamin therapy. What’s in a Myers’ Cocktail? Typically: high doses of B-vitamins (B-complex and B12), vitamin C, plus the minerals magnesium and calcium, all mixed in a sterile water or saline solution (MerckManuals). It’s like an all-in-one multivitamin in IV form.

Ingredients and Roles:

• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that supports immune function and collagen production.
• B-Complex Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6): Help convert food into energy and support metabolism and nerve function.
• Vitamin B12: Important for energy production, red blood cell formation, and nerve health.
• Magnesium: A mineral that aids muscle relaxation, nerve function, and can help reduce muscle cramps or headaches.
• Calcium: Supports bone health and proper muscle contraction

The Myers’ Cocktail is touted to boost energy, enhance the immune system, improve fatigue, and help with conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and allergies. Some patients with chronic conditions have reported feeling better after regular Myers’ infusions.

For instance, a small 2009 study on fibromyalgia patients found those who got Myers’ Cocktail IVs reported improvements in pain and depression. Anecdotally, many people say Myers’ gives them a noticeable energy lift and helps with things like muscle aches or frequent colds. It’s generally well-tolerated by most patients.

Hangover IV Drips – Recover Fast After Overindulgence

Who hasn't dealt with a hangover: dehydration, headache, nausea, fatigue after too much alcohol. They used to last a few hours, but now they seem to last for days. Enter the Hangover IV drip, a concoction designed to alleviate those symptoms quickly. Hangover drips have become very popular in cities and vacation spots, sometimes even offered via mobile van or in-home service the morning after big parties.

Core Ingredients:

• 1 liter of normal saline for rehydration
• Medications: ondansetron (anti-nausea) and toradol (anti-pain)
• B vitamins (B12, B-complex)
• Vitamin C and minerals (magnesium, calcium)

At its most basic form, a hangover IV will have a liter of normal saline for rehydration, and medications like ondansetron (anti-nausea), and toradol (anti-pain). On top of that, B vitamins are added, like vitamin B12 and B-Complex for energy and metabolism. Vitamin C for antioxidant support, and minerals like mangesium and calcium to replenish lost electrolytes. These meds address dehydration, and immediately treat specific symptoms, allowing for rapid recovery.

Does it really work? Without a doubt, IV therapy was made for treating hangovers. Related symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and headaches are instantly relieved, either by the fluid itself, the vitamins added, or the medications given. These medications are hospital-grade, meaning they are exactly the same as what doctors and nurses use in the ER and ICU. Many hungover clients feel so good after an IV, they resume their everyday life as if they didn't drink at all the night before.

NAD+ IV Therapy – The Anti-Aging & Brain Booster

Another IV infusion that has gained buzz is NAD+ therapy. NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide – a mouthful of a molecule that plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and DNA repair. Our NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and some research suggests boosting NAD+ could have anti-aging effects at the cellular level. NAD+ IV infusions involve administering this coenzyme directly into your bloodstream.

Uses of NAD+ drips:

• Ability to improve mental clarity, focus, and mood
• Promote anti-aging (used by biohackers and executives)
• Adjunct in addiction recovery

Patients receiving NAD+ IVs often report a clear-headed, energized feeling afterwards. Some say it’s like the curtain is lifted, and feel like they are coming out of a month long meditation. On a cellular level, NAD+ is involved in the mitochondria (the energy powerhouses of cells), so the idea is that more NAD+ helps your cells produce energy (ATP) more efficiently. Additionally, NAD+ activates certain enzymes (sirtuins) linked to longevity and DNA repair, hence the anti-aging component.

Session experience: NAD+ infusions can be a bit different. Some people feel mild discomfort, chest tightness, or a light flushing sensation during the infusion if it’s done rapidly. The rate of the drip is carefully controlled by the nurse or they will mix NAD+ with fluids to make it more comfortable. A straight NAD+ push can cause those transient symptoms. Infusion times can range from 2 to 4 hours for NAD+, depending on dose and your tolerance.

NAD+ therapy is relatively new, and while there are promising animal studies and early human reports, it’s still an area of active research. We don’t yet have large clinical trials proving clear benefits for specific conditions. That said, many people who have tried it are enthusiastic about how they feel.

If you’re curious, We have a whole category explaining the ins and outs of NAD+ so you can learn more about the molecule Jennifer Aniston claims is "the future".

Glutathione IV – The “Master Antioxidant” and Skin Brightener

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced in our cells, composed of three amino acids. It’s critical for detoxifying the body and protecting cells from oxidative damage. In IV therapy, glutathione is often administered on its own or added at the end of another IV.

Benefits of Glutathione:

• Skin brightening: Converts eumelanin to pheomelanin, reducing hyperpigmentation.
• Liver support: Often used after toxin exposures or in heavy drinkers.
• General antioxidant support: May benefit those with high oxidative stress or illness recovery.

‍Though glutathione makes it's fame being a "master antioxidant" the main use case these days is for its skin-lightening and evening effect.  Glutathione is known to change eumelainin (dark-brown pigment) into pheomelanin (reddish yellow), thus reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out blemishes in the skin.

Some users even report a "glow" after using glutathione. A high dose of glutathione can inhibit melanin production (the pigment in skin), and in some countries glutathione injections are used (legally or not) to try to lighten the skin’s complexion.

As an antioxidant, glutathione supports liver detoxification and neutralizes free radicals. People take glutathione IVs for liver health (say, after toxin exposures or to support the liver if one drinks alcohol frequently), for general immune support, and might help those with conditions of high oxidative stress or people recovering from illnesses.

For example, it has been studied in Parkinson’s disease patients for symptom relief (with mixed results). Many feel a general health boost after glutathione pushes, possibly due to reduced oxidative load. It can also be used to potentially mitigate hangover effects since it supports liver in processing toxins.

While Glutathione may be powerful, it is certainly not something to abuse in high doses frequently. Always get it from a qualified provider, since glutathione IVs that are unregulated could have impurities. Also, if you have asthma, high doses of IV glutathione might exacerbate breathing issues (glutathione can sometimes cause bronchospasm in asthmatics).

To learn more about how Glutathione might be your secret weapon to clearer, brighter skin, check out our section on Glutathione.

Beauty IV Drips – Glow from the Inside Out?

Beauty-focused IV infusions are all about giving your skin, hair, and nails a boost from within. The concept is that by delivering certain vitamins and antioxidants via IV, you can support collagen production, skin hydration, and overall radiance.

Common ingredients in a Beauty IV drip:

• Biotin: vitamin B7, known for supporting hair and nail strength
• Vitamin C: essential for collagen synthesis and a bright complexion
• Glutathione: for its skin-brightening and antioxidant properties, as discussed earlier:
• Zinc: helps with acne and healing
• Additional B Vitamins: helps cell regeneration

Beauty IVs are purporte to improve skin elasticity, reduce acne or blemishes, give a “dewy glow,” strengthen hair, and fortify nails. After a series of treatments, some clients do report their skin looks more hydrated or clear. Vitamin C and biotin can indeed contribute to healthier skin and hair if you were low on them. Glutathione, as mentioned, can lead to a brighter skin tone by its effect on pigmentation (though it should be approached carefully).

There’s also the aspect that better hydration giving plumper, healthier-looking skin. If you’re regularly getting a liter of fluid with your beauty IV, your skin will likely benefit from the improved hydration status.

Immunity IV Drips – High-Dose Vitamin C and Zinc

We touched on immune support in the benefits section, but it’s worth noting the specific Immunity IV drips many clinics offer. These are typically vitamin IVs geared toward preventing or fighting off colds and other infections. What sets an immunity drip apart is usually high-dose Vitamin C (sometimes 10–20 grams, which is far above oral limits) along with zinc, B vitamins, and often a push of glutathione at the end. Some may include echinacea or other herbal extracts, but vitamins C and zinc are the star players since both are well-known to be involved in immune function.

Use cases: People get immunity IVs when they feel a cold coming on, if everyone in the office is sick and they want to avoid catching it, or when recovering from illness to bounce back faster. Travelers might do one before a long flight (airplanes can be germy environments).

Effectiveness: If you are actually deficient in vitamin C or zinc, then yes, an IV will help your immune system because it’s correcting that. If you’re not deficient, the immune boost from extra C or zinc is less certain. There is some evidence that vitamin C supplementation can slightly shorten the duration of colds in the general population. Still, anecdotally many swear that an IV at first sniffle kept the full illness at bay or made it milder. Hydration plays a role too. When you’re ill, you tend to get dehydrated, and an IV ensures you’re fully hydrated which can help you feel better and keep mucus membranes moist, etc.

Safety note: Very high-dose vitamin C can, in rare cases, cause issues like kidney stones in predisposed individuals or complications if you have G6PD deficiency (a genetic condition). High vitamin C can cause hemolysis in G6PD-deficient people (ragcp.org). So reputable clinics will screen for that. For the average person, an immunity IV done occasionally is low-risk and might provide a nice short-term immune support. Just remember it’s not a substitute for proven methods like vaccines, proper rest, nutrition, and good hygiene.

For more on how these drips aim to bolster immunity, see Immunity IV Drip. We go into which ingredients matter for immune health and what you should realistically expect from an IV when it comes to preventing illness.

Other IV Infusions

Beyond the big names above, there are plenty of other specialized IV infusions out there. Some examples include:

Hydration-Only Drips

‍Just fluids and basic electrolyte. Good for simple dehydration without extra vitamins, though add-ons are always available.

Migraine Relief IVs

‍May include magnesium (since magnesium can help prevent migraines), vitamin B2 (riboflavin, evidence suggests it can reduce migraine frequency in some cases), and an anti-pain and/or anti-nausea medication. Hydration itself also helps if the migraine was dehydration-triggered.

Weight Loss IVs

‍Some clinics advertise drips with carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, MIC (a mix of methionine, inositol, choline) purported to boost metabolism and fat burning. An IV is not a fat-melting solution like ozempic or wegovy, though carnitine and ALA are involved in metabolism. Any effect is supplementary to diet and exercise.

Custom Blends

Many providers will actually mix a custom “cocktail” based on your needs. Feeling stressed and low on sleep? They might load up B-complex, extra magnesium, maybe some vitamin C. Training for a triathlon? They might suggest extra amino acids and an extra bag of saline for hydration. Good clinics will assess your symptoms and goals, and then formulate the IV.

Final Thoughts on IV Infusion Types

While having so many options is great, it can also be overwhelming. It helps to remember that all IV infusions share a common principle: delivering beneficial substances quickly into your bloodstream. The rest is tailoring. Some people will try a few different drips before finding the one they like the most. And some might find that a plain hydration IV does the trick just as well as a fancier vitamin-loaded one. Your experience might vary.

Keep in mind that more isn’t always better. Just because an IV has 20 ingredients doesn’t mean you absolutely need them all. Sometimes a targeted approach (like just high-dose vitamin C for immunity, or just magnesium for migraines) is sufficient. Don’t hesitate to ask why each ingredient is included.

Also, be aware of unsupported health claims. If a provider promises that an IV will cure a serious disease or provide permanent results, that’s a red flag. The FTC actually charged some IV drip marketers for making deceptive health claims (like treating cancer and multiple sclerosis) without evidence.

As long as you approach it with an informed mindset, exploring different IV infusions can be a beneficial addition to your health routine. They can help you feel revitalized when used appropriately. And if nothing else, you’ve now demystified terms like Myers’ Cocktail and NAD+!