Home / Integrative Medicine / IV Nutrient Therapy
Integrative & Functional Medicine
IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into your bloodstream, so your body can use them right away. Every infusion is chosen by your physician after a medical screening and given by a registered nurse.
Given by
A registered nurse, after physician screening
Session
About 30–120 minutes, depending on the infusion
Where
Warrenton and Culpeper
Is it right for me?
IV therapy is not right for everyone. Some infusions are not suitable with kidney disease, heart failure, G6PD deficiency, pregnancy or certain medications. We review your history and labs before your first infusion, and some infusions require specific tests first.
1
Your physician reviews your health history, medications and labs and chooses the right infusion. Some, such as high-dose vitamin C and methylene blue, require a G6PD test first.
2
Your nurse checks your blood pressure, pulse and how you are feeling that day.
3
A small IV is placed in your arm. You relax in a comfortable chair while the infusion runs slowly.
4
Your nurse checks you again before you leave. Most people return to their day right away.
Open each therapy below for details, who it may help and who should not have it.
Magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C.
Supports fat metabolism; part of our weight program.
A dye with a long medical history, studied for cellular energy.
Much higher blood levels than by mouth.
An antioxidant used in Germany for nerve symptoms.
Binds certain heavy metals so they can be removed.
Phosphatidylcholine, a building block of cell membranes.
A coenzyme your cells use to make energy.
Preparing and recovering
If you feel unwell during an infusion, tell your nurse right away. We can slow or stop the drip.
Good to know
The Myers’ cocktail is a classic blend of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins (including B12) and vitamin C. It was developed by Dr. John Myers and later popularized by Dr. Alan Gaby, and it is one of the most widely used IV formulas in integrative medicine.May help withFatigue and low energyMuscle cramps and tensionMigraines and stress-related symptomsGeneral wellness and recoveryGood to knowResearch is limited. A small placebo-controlled study in fibromyalgia found both groups improved, so more research is needed.A warm or flushing feeling during the infusion is common, from the magnesium.Takes about 30–45 minutes.Not suitable if youHave advanced kidney diseaseHave heart rhythm problems or very low blood pressure (needs review)
Meta Energy is our IV infusion of L-carnitine. Carnitine helps carry fats into the mitochondria, the parts of your cells that burn fuel for energy. IV levocarnitine is an FDA-approved medicine for carnitine deficiency; its use for energy and weight support is off-label.May help withEnergy during a weight loss programExercise recoverySupport for fat metabolismGood to knowPart of our weight loss program as an add-on.Reviews of carnitine supplements suggest a modest effect on weight, mainly alongside diet and exercise.Possible side effects include nausea and stomach upset.Not suitable if youHave a seizure disorder (needs review)Have severe kidney disease (needs review)See our medical weight loss program
Methylene blue is a blue dye that has been used in medicine for more than a century. It is FDA-approved for a blood condition called methemoglobinemia. At low doses, it is being studied for its effects on mitochondria and brain energy; this use is off-label and research is early.May help withMental energy and focus (early research)Cellular energy support (early research)Good to knowImportant: methylene blue can cause a dangerous reaction called serotonin syndrome when combined with many antidepressants and other serotonin-affecting medicines. We review every medication you take.Your urine and sometimes skin may turn blue-green for a day or two. This is harmless.A G6PD test is required first.Not suitable if youTake SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs or other serotonin-affecting medicinesHave G6PD deficiencyAre pregnant or breastfeedingHave severe kidney disease
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports immune function, collagen and tissue repair. Given by IV, it reaches blood levels many times higher than are possible by mouth.May help withImmune supportFatigue and recoverySkin and collagen supportGood to knowA G6PD test is required before high-dose vitamin C, because it can cause serious red blood cell breakdown in people with G6PD deficiency.High-dose vitamin C can make some fingerstick blood sugar meters read falsely high for several hours. If you have diabetes, tell us.Infusions take about 60–120 minutes.Not suitable if youHave G6PD deficiencyHave kidney disease or a history of kidney stones (needs review)Have iron overload (hemochromatosis)
Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant made naturally in the body. IV ALA has been used for many years in Germany and other European countries for the burning and tingling of diabetic nerve damage, and it has been studied in clinical trials there.May help withNerve symptoms such as burning or tingling, especially in diabetesAntioxidant supportBlood sugar and metabolic healthGood to knowEuropean trials found IV ALA improved nerve symptoms over a few weeks.ALA can lower blood sugar; if you take diabetes medicine, we monitor closely.Takes about 30–60 minutes.Not suitable if youAre prone to low blood sugar (needs review)Are pregnant
Chelation therapy uses a medicine called EDTA that binds certain metals in the blood so they can leave the body in the urine. EDTA is FDA-approved for lead poisoning. We may consider chelation when testing shows elevated levels of certain heavy metals.May help withElevated heavy metal levels found on testingGood to knowIts use for heart disease is controversial. A large NIH trial (TACT, 2013) suggested a modest benefit, but a follow-up trial in people with diabetes and a prior heart attack (TACT2, 2024) found no reduction in heart events. We do not offer chelation as a treatment for heart disease.Chelation can also remove minerals your body needs, so we monitor kidney function and minerals and may replace them.Requires a series of infusions and close monitoring.Not suitable if youHave kidney diseaseAre pregnant or breastfeedingHave low calcium or certain heart rhythm problems
Plaquex® is an IV infusion of phosphatidylcholine, a natural fat that is a main building block of the membranes around every cell. It was originally developed in Germany. In the United States it is prepared by a licensed outsourcing pharmacy.May help withSupport for cell membrane healthSupport as part of a cardiovascular wellness planGood to knowPlaquex® is not FDA-approved, and high-quality research is limited. We do not claim that it removes plaque from arteries or treats heart disease.It is given slowly, usually as a series.Possible side effects include vein irritation, loose stools and tiredness.Not suitable if youHave a soy or egg allergy (needs review)Are pregnant or breastfeeding
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme every cell uses to turn food into energy and to repair DNA. NAD+ levels decline with age, which has made IV NAD+ popular for energy and healthy aging.May help withEnergy and mental clarityHealthy aging goalsRecoveryGood to knowHuman research on IV NAD+ is still limited, and results vary.It must be given slowly. If it runs too fast, you may feel chest tightness, nausea or cramping, which ease when the drip is slowed.Infusions often take 1–3 hours.Not suitable if youAre pregnant or breastfeedingHave an active cancer (needs review)
The research
Here are some published studies and reviews on the IV therapies we offer. Evidence varies widely between therapies.
Links open external websites.
Some ingredients are FDA-approved medicines for specific conditions, such as IV levocarnitine for carnitine deficiency and EDTA for lead poisoning. Using them for wellness, energy or other goals is off-label. Compounded IV formulas are not FDA-approved.
Often, yes. Some infusions, such as high-dose vitamin C and methylene blue, require a G6PD test. Your physician will tell you what you need.
You will feel a quick pinch when the IV is placed. Most people find the infusion relaxing.
It depends on the infusion and your goals. Your physician will recommend a schedule.
Usually, yes. Your nurse will check you before you leave.
IV wellness therapy is usually self-pay. We give you the price before treatment.
About integrative care. Functional and integrative approaches are used alongside, not instead of, standard medical care. IV therapy is given only after a medical screening. Individual results vary. Medical disclaimer.
