Is IV vitamin therapy safe and effective? Here's the 101 on celebrities' current favorite treatment

Vitamin drips, also known as Intravenous (IV) Vitamin Therapy, have gained popularity in recent years, especially during the pandemic when people realized how important vitamins are for our health.

But IV drips are also being used as a pampering treatment before special occasions, offering a fast and convenient way to boost glow from within. 

The treatment, which involves infusing vitamins and fluids directly into the bloodstream through a needle, has been poised as celebrities' go-to treatment before events. 

At this year's GMA Gala, beauty queens R'Bonney Gabriel and Rabiya Mateo shared on social media how a session of their favorite vitamin therapy was part of their ball prep. 

Long-time drip fans Michelle Dee and Max Collins have even launched a wellness brand, Drip Therapy in 2022, offering high-quality IV drips.

At her recent contract renewal, Global Fashion Icon Heart Evangelista told GMA News Online how doing IV drips helps her stay on top of her health despite her busy schedule.

"I swear by vitamin drips, always, it's instant," Heart said. "I usually get Vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium, and I also do stem cell once a month when I can."

Benefits of IV drips

The surge in popularity of IV drips is largely due to the positive experiences shared by celebrities and influencers. But how does it measure up in terms of safety and effectiveness compared to oral pills?

According to Dr. Jonah Macaraeg-Jimenez, an associate physician of Belo Medical Group, "vitamin drip, which delivers vitamins to the body intravenously through the veins, makes the fluids go directly to our blood circulation."

"Since it goes directly to the body's circulation, it's more concentrated, so you absorb the vitamins as it is," she added.

Dr. Giselle Lazaro-Maceda, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of NU.U skin clinic, adds the amount of nutrients in a vitamin drip "can reach much higher, more therapeutic levels" than orally taken pills.

"A vitamin that is taken by mouth gets broken down in the stomach and digestive tract and is limited on how much can be absorbed by about 30 to 50%," Lazaro-Maceda explained.

"If the vitamin is given through an IV drip, it's absorbed at a much higher percentage of about 90%," she said.

As such, drips are more effective than pills, and gives clients an "instant effect" since the body absorbs the vitamins as they enter, Jimenez said agreeing with Lazaro-Maceda.

Because it goes straight to the body's circulation, it's an alternative for patients with digestive issues, Lazaro-Maceda said.

"It is an excellent way to supplement vitamins for people with digestive issues that otherwise prevent them from properly absorbing the nutrients in their food," she said.

How about risks? 

Jimenez emphasized that as long as it's done right, there should be no risk of doing vitamin drips.

"Some patients can be allergic to certain compositions of vitamin drip, but it's very rare," she added.

According to Lazaro-Maceda meanwhile, "proper screening of candidates" who can undergo vitamin drip is just as crucial as administering it, to avoid side effects to people with existing illnesses.

Still, most risks in undergoing vitamin drips "are easily remedied," the dermatologist said.

"Most risks include hematoma, slight swelling, and allergic reaction in the injection site," the NU.U founder said.

According to Healthline, risks include "bruising and inflammation at the injection site, blood clots, and rashes." 

As such, Lazaro-Maceda said "a medical setting with trained professionals is the best place to receive vitamin drip," she added.

Jimenez adds, what's important is ensuring the IV drip you receive is FDA-approved, and the clinic is licensed to perform the treatment to guarantee safety and quality.

In a statement, the Department of Health's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the efficacy and quality of vitamin drips are not guaranteed, and the "risk is significantly higher if the FDA does not approve the product."

"It's essential to ensure that any vitamin drip therapy is conducted by a licensed professional using FDA-approved products," the statement said.

"Injectable vitamins are typically prescription drugs used to treat specific deficiencies or medical conditions and should only be administered under the guidance of a physician," the FDA added.

— LA, GMA Integrated News