Patient Guide: IV Therapy

IV therapy is the intravenous administration of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This allows nutrients to be delivered at concentrations that oral supplementation cannot reliably achieve due to absorption limits in the gut. At The London Road Clinic, all IV therapy is planned and medically supervised by Dr Shahe Boghossian. Pricing is confirmed at consultation and varies by formulation.

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What IV therapy is and why the route of delivery matters

When vitamins and nutrients are taken orally, they pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. Absorption is affected by the health and function of the gut lining, the presence of other nutrients competing for the same transport mechanisms, and the form in which the nutrient is taken. High oral doses of many vitamins, vitamin C in particular, increase absorption to a ceiling and then cause gastrointestinal discomfort before the amount absorbed further increases meaningfully.

Intravenous delivery bypasses this entirely. The nutrient goes directly into the bloodstream and is immediately available at cellular level. This makes IV delivery the most efficient route for achieving therapeutic plasma concentrations of specific nutrients, and explains why clinically meaningful doses of certain compounds require IV administration rather than oral supplementation.

This is the clinical rationale for IV therapy. It is not a claim that IV vitamins produce effects that oral vitamins do not; for patients who absorb oral vitamins well and are not deficient, the added benefit of IV delivery is more modest. The most relevant scenarios are where absorption is impaired, where therapeutic plasma concentrations are the goal, or where the formulation being used is poorly bioavailable orally.

All IV therapy at The London Road Clinic is preceded by a medical consultation with Dr Shahe Boghossian. This is not a formality; it is the point at which the appropriate formulation is determined, contraindications are identified, and the clinical rationale for IV administration rather than oral supplementation is confirmed.

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Common formulations

Myers Cocktail

The Myers Cocktail is one of the most established IV nutrient formulations in clinical practice, named after the late Dr John Myers, who developed it in the 1970s. It typically contains magnesium, calcium, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), and vitamin C in a saline carrier.

It has been used in clinical settings for decades for patients with fatigue, migraine, fibromyalgia, and upper respiratory infections, among other presentations. The evidence base is better developed for some applications than others, and the formulation varies between clinics. At The London Road Clinic, the composition is determined at consultation based on the patient’s specific situation and goals.

High-dose Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant with roles in collagen synthesis, immune function and protection against oxidative stress. Oral absorption plateaus at a few hundred milligrams per day; doses above this produce gastrointestinal symptoms before substantially increasing plasma levels.

IV vitamin C can achieve plasma concentrations several times higher than oral supplementation. At high concentrations, vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant rather than an antioxidant, a property that has generated significant research interest. For skin quality specifically, vitamin C is a co-factor in collagen synthesis and plays a role in regulating melanin production pathways.

High-dose IV vitamin C is used at The London Road Clinic for patients with specific wellness goals including skin quality support and recovery from significant physiological stress. This is not a treatment for cancer, infection or other medical conditions; patients with medical conditions should be under appropriate specialist care.

Glutathione

Glutathione is the body’s primary endogenous antioxidant: a tripeptide (glycine, cysteine, glutamic acid) produced in virtually all cells and central to cellular defence against oxidative damage. Plasma glutathione levels decline with age, chronic illness, high physiological stress and certain medications.

IV glutathione delivers the compound directly to the bloodstream; oral glutathione has very limited bioavailability because it is broken down in the gut before absorption. The evidence for IV glutathione in supporting antioxidant status is reasonable; the evidence base for specific cosmetic outcomes is less established, and we present it as such at consultation.

Glutathione plays a role in the melanin synthesis pathway; it influences the balance between eumelanin (darker pigment) and phaeomelanin (lighter pigment) production. This has generated interest in its role in skin tone. We do not make skin lightening claims for glutathione IV at The London Road Clinic; patients with pigmentation concerns are directed to the appropriate evidence-based treatments such as Lumecca IPL and appropriate skincare.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

NAD+ is a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair. It is present in every cell in the body and required for the function of hundreds of enzymatic reactions. NAD+ levels decline significantly with age, and this decline has been associated in research settings with reduced cellular energy production and impaired DNA repair capacity.

IV NAD+ delivers the coenzyme directly to the bloodstream, allowing rapid cellular uptake. The evidence base is growing but is not yet as established as for vitamins with longer clinical histories. Research in areas including energy metabolism, neurological function and cellular ageing is ongoing. At The London Road Clinic, we present NAD+ therapy as an area of active scientific interest with emerging evidence, not as an established treatment for specific conditions.

NAD+ infusions are administered slowly over a longer session than other IV formulations, typically two to four hours depending on the dose. Some patients notice a sensation of chest tightness, nausea or muscle fatigue during infusion; these are typically temporary and managed by adjusting the infusion rate.

Vitamin B12

B12 (cobalamin) is essential for red blood cell formation, neurological function and DNA synthesis. Deficiency produces symptoms including fatigue, neurological changes, and anaemia. B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products; vegans and strict vegetarians are at significant deficiency risk without supplementation.

IV or intramuscular B12 is the appropriate route where absorption is impaired (pernicious anaemia, post-gastric surgery, Crohn’s disease affecting the terminal ileum) or where rapid repletion is needed. Where B12 levels are adequate, IV administration above normal levels does not produce additional benefit, as the kidneys clear excess water-soluble vitamins efficiently.

Patients seeking B12 IV therapy at The London Road Clinic are assessed at consultation, and where deficiency is suspected, blood testing is recommended before treatment to establish baseline levels and confirm the clinical indication.

Tailored formulations

Beyond standard protocols, IV therapy at The London Road Clinic can be tailored based on a patient’s history, goals, and where available, blood test results. The consultation with Dr Shahe Boghossian determines whether a standard formulation or a tailored approach is most appropriate.

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The evidence: an honest account

IV therapy exists on a spectrum of evidence quality. Being clear about this is part of how we approach it at The London Road Clinic.

Well-evidenced applications:

• Vitamin C IV for deficiency states and as an antioxidant at high plasma concentrations.
• B12 IV or IM where absorption is impaired or deficiency is confirmed.
• Magnesium IV in clinical settings for specific presentations including migraine and severe asthma.

Reasonable evidence with appropriate caveats:

• Myers Cocktail for fatigue, with the note that response is variable and placebo-controlled data is limited.
• Glutathione IV for antioxidant support in patients with depleted glutathione status.

Emerging evidence requiring honest qualification:

• NAD+ IV for cellular energy and longevity-related outcomes. Research is active and promising; human clinical data is developing. We present it as such.

We do not offer IV therapy formulations for the treatment of any medical condition. Patients with medical presentations that might benefit from IV nutrients are directed to their GP or appropriate specialist. Our IV therapy programme is a wellness service offered within the scope of a medically supervised aesthetic and wellness clinic.

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The treatment: what to expect

Consultation

Every patient at The London Road Clinic has a medical consultation with Dr Shahe Boghossian before any IV therapy appointment is booked. This covers medical history, current medications, any known allergies, and the specific goals of treatment. Blood tests are recommended before NAD+ therapy and where B12 deficiency is suspected.

Read more about what to expect at a consultation at The London Road Clinic.

The appointment

IV therapy takes place in one of our clinical rooms with continuous monitoring. A small intravenous cannula is inserted in a vein in the arm or hand. The formulation is delivered via a drip at a controlled rate.

• Standard vitamin formulations (Myers Cocktail, vitamin C, glutathione): 30 to 60 minutes.
• NAD+ infusions: two to four hours depending on dose, administered at a slower rate to minimise side effects.
• B12 injection (intramuscular): a few minutes.

Patients sit comfortably during infusion; most bring reading or work. Monitoring for any adverse reaction is standard throughout.

After the appointment

Most patients return to normal activity immediately after a standard vitamin infusion. After NAD+ infusion, some patients notice fatigue or a sense of having been physically worked; this typically resolves within a few hours. Adequate hydration before and after treatment is encouraged.

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Suitability and contraindications

IV therapy is not appropriate for all patients. Contraindications include:

Contraindication	Why
Kidney disease or significantly impaired renal function	IV fluids and high-dose water-soluble vitamins require adequate renal clearance
Known allergy to any component of the formulation	Assessed at consultation
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency	High-dose vitamin C IV is contraindicated; can trigger haemolytic anaemia
Active infection or fever	IV access is contraindicated when infection risk is elevated
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	IV nutrient therapy is not administered at The London Road Clinic during pregnancy or breastfeeding without specialist obstetric input
Haemochromatosis	Iron and some minerals in IV formulations may be contraindicated
Current anticoagulant therapy	Increased bruising risk at IV access site; disclose at consultation

G6PD deficiency is particularly important for patients of Mediterranean, African, or Middle Eastern descent, where the prevalence is higher. It is identified at consultation and contraindicates high-dose vitamin C IV specifically.

Patients under 18 are not treated at The London Road Clinic, in line with UK age-restriction legislation introduced in October 2021.

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How IV therapy fits within a wider wellness plan

IV therapy at The London Road Clinic is used as a component of a broader, evidence-informed approach to wellness rather than as a standalone intervention. Patients who benefit most typically have a clear clinical rationale for IV delivery: compromised gut absorption, confirmed nutritional insufficiency, a specific wellness goal that oral supplementation cannot support at adequate concentrations, or a period of significantly elevated physiological demand.

IV therapy does not replace the foundational elements of good health: adequate sleep, appropriate diet, consistent physical activity, and SPF. It operates alongside them. Patients who come to IV therapy expecting it to compensate for deficits in these areas are likely to be disappointed; patients who use it as a supplement to an already well-maintained foundation are more likely to find it worthwhile.

The ageing well philosophy at The London Road Clinic applies to wellness treatments as much as aesthetic ones: the goal is genuine, sustainable support for how the body functions, not a shortcut to results that foundation alone would produce.

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