Vitamin IV Drips

FAQ

• Which IV drip should I choose?

  If it's your first drip, our price list suggests the half-liter Myer's Cocktail, or NAD IV Lite if you want NAD+. If you only want fluids, choose Simple Saline or the Electrolyte Booster (Lactated Ringer's). You can add extras such as zinc or magnesium at your visit if your provider agrees.

• Where can I get IV therapy in Los Angeles?

  At all three of our clinics in the Los Angeles area: West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Calabasas. Each is open 7 days a week, and you pick the clinic and time when you book. Addresses are on this page under 3 Locations In Los Angeles.

• How are vitamin IV drips different from oral supplements?

  An IV puts fluids and nutrients straight into your bloodstream, so nothing has to be absorbed through your gut first. For vitamin C, an IV reaches much higher blood levels than the same dose taken by mouth, but that hasn't been shown to make healthy people feel or stay better. A drip doesn't replace a balanced diet.

• Will I feel different right away?

  You may not feel any different, and we can't promise a particular result: there isn't good evidence that vitamin drips improve energy or well-being in healthy people. A small bruise or soreness where the IV went in can happen. If the spot gets red, warm, swollen or more painful, call us.

• How long does a vitamin IV drip treatment take?

  Most vitamin drips take 20 to 40 minutes. NAD and iron infusions take longer.

• Can I get a vitamin IV drip when I am sick?

  If you're sick, call us before you book, especially if you have a fever or might be contagious. Your provider decides whether a drip is right for you that day, and a drip doesn't treat an infection. For nausea or a headache, the Hangover Heaven and Headache, Tension + Migraine Relief drips include prescription medicine for those symptoms. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, or a sudden, severe headache, or a headache with a stiff neck and fever, slurred speech, vision changes or weakness. Get emergency care for blood or coffee-ground material in your vomit, and see a doctor promptly if vomiting lasts more than a day, you can't keep liquids down for 12 hours, or you haven't urinated in 8 hours.

• Can I get a vitamin IV drip before a special event or travel?

  Yes. Leave time for the drip itself, and if your arms will show, book a few days ahead, since a bruise where the IV went in can take a while to fade.

• What is the difference between a vitamin shot and a vitamin IV drip?

  A vitamin shot is a quick injection of a small amount of liquid into the muscle, with one or a few ingredients such as B12. An IV drip puts a bag of fluids with its ingredients straight into a vein, so it takes longer. Our shots are on the B12 & Vitamin Shots page.

• Why get your IV drip at Cienega Medical?

  We've been a medical spa in Los Angeles since 2010. You see each drip's price before you book, and drips are given by our licensed medical team, under the direction of our medical director, at three clinics open 7 days a week.

• Who cannot receive a vitamin IV drip?

  At Cienega Medical, we respectfully decline treatment for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as those with kidney failure, high blood pressure, active cancer therapy and/or those younger than the age of 16. Before your drip, tell your provider about any heart or kidney condition and every medicine you take.

• Does a vitamin IV drip hurt?

  You'll feel a quick pinch when the IV goes in. Tell your provider right away if you feel pain, itching, flushing, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath or otherwise unwell during the drip; they'll check on you and decide whether to slow or stop it. If you get a fever or chills after a drip, get medical care right away and let us know.

• What vitamins do we carry?

  At Cienega Medical, we carry a range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. We offer: Amino Acids, B12 (methylcobalamin and hydroxocobalamin), B-Complex, Biotin, Calcium, CoQ10, Chromium, L-Carnitine, L-Arginine, Glutathione, Magnesium, MIC (methionine, inositol and choline), Selenium, Taurine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc.

• Who administers IVs at Cienega Medical?

  Our IVs and Shots are only administered by our medical team of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses.

• What is the difference between Lactated Ringer's and Simple Saline?

  Lactated Ringer's contains water with sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and lactate, a mix closer to the makeup of your blood. Simple Saline (0.9% sodium chloride) contains water with sodium and chloride only. Both are used to replace water and electrolytes.

• Can I add vitamins to a hydration IV?

  Yes. You can add vitamins to any hydration IV for an additional charge. For safety and compatibility, certain vitamins and medications are kept separate in the IV bags.

• How much do IV drips cost in Los Angeles?

  Our IV drips run from $45 for simple hydration up to $750 for the largest NAD formula, with the vitamin and recovery drips in between. Every drip and its price is listed on this page.