DEFINITION
What is Intravenous Therapies: IVs?
Intravenous (Infusion) therapy is a useful alternative or addition to oral treatment options. It is used to treat multiple health conditions, from infections and chronic pain to immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, nutrient deficiencies, and side effects of other medical treatments. In general, IV fluids might include nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, or medications. In addition to Intravenous infusions, we offer intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of medicines and supplements. All IV infusions and injections are administered by licensed medical personnel, such as nurses or phlebotomists, in the presence of medical doctors at the clinic. Scroll to the end of this page for our FAQ section.
INDICATIONS
What conditions does it treat?
ADVANTAGE
Why Intravenous Therapies: IVs at GWCIM?
At many clinics, IV therapy is offered as a standalone wellness service — administered without a full picture of the patient's health. At GWCIM, IV therapy is always practiced as part of integrative medicine. Our physicians evaluate your complete health history, functional medicine lab work, and individual needs before recommending any infusion.
It is worth noting that IV therapy at GWCIM is always physician-guided and individualized. We do not offer a fixed menu of "IV drips" the way some wellness spas or standalone IV bars do. Every infusion is evaluated in the context of your overall health — your labs, your diagnoses, your medications, and your goals. This is what makes IV therapy, as practiced at GWCIM, both safer and more effective than off-the-shelf approaches.
Our team also has deep experience using IV therapy alongside other treatments for complex, chronic conditions — including mold toxicity, neurological decline, cancer support, and Long COVID — areas where IV therapy can play a meaningful supporting role that goes well beyond basic wellness. And for patients who travel, we work with partner practices across the country to ensure continuity of your infusion care wherever you are.
APPROACH
How do we do Intravenous Therapies: IVs at GWCIM?
Step 1 — Start with a Medical Appointment
Before your first infusion, you will meet with one of our physicians. They will review your health history, check for any contraindications, and prescribe the right formula for you. We do not offer walk-in IV drips off a general menu — every infusion at GWCIM is physician-prescribed and personalized. If you already have a prescription from another doctor, we will review it during a short initial visit.
Step 2 — Prepare for Your Visit
Eat a light meal and drink plenty of water before you arrive. Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to your arms. Let your nurse know about any medications you are taking or any symptoms you are experiencing that day.
Step 3 — Come In and Relax
Depending on the treatment, sessions typically run anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Bring a book, put on headphones, or simply rest — most patients find the experience surprisingly pleasant. You are welcome to bring a family member or caregiver to sit with you.
Step 4 — Ongoing Care
Your physician will advise on frequency and follow-up based on your response to treatment. IV therapy at GWCIM is always part of a broader care plan.
Myers' Cocktail: The Gold Standard of Nutritional IV Therapy
The Myers' Cocktail is one of the most well-known and widely used IV formulas in integrative medicine, originally developed by Baltimore physician Dr. John Myers. It combines a carefully balanced blend of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12), and Vitamin C. Together, these nutrients support energy production, immune function, nerve health, and overall cellular repair. The Myers' Cocktail is generally well tolerated with a low risk of side effects, making it a good starting point for many patients new to IV therapy.
High-Dose Vitamin C: Your Immune System's Most Powerful Ally
Vitamin C delivered intravenously can reach concentrations in the blood that are simply not achievable through oral supplements. At these higher doses, Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant and immune-modulating agent. According to the National Cancer Institute, a growing body of preclinical research suggests that high-dose IV Vitamin C may benefit cancer patients, and at GWCIM, we use it as a supportive therapy alongside our patients' conventional cancer treatment. We also use high-dose IV Vitamin C to help treat serious or persistent infections. Please contact us to discuss whether this therapy is appropriate for your situation.
Glutathione: Restore. Detoxify. Protect at the Cellular Level
Glutathione is often called the body's "master antioxidant." It is present in every cell and plays a central role in tissue repair, detoxification, protein synthesis, and immune function. Research has consistently shown that glutathione levels decline with age and are depleted in many chronic disease states — including Parkinson's disease, liver disease, heart disease, and alcohol use disorder. Replenishing glutathione through IV therapy is generally safe and well tolerated, though we take extra care with patients who have sulfite sensitivities or who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Phosphatidylcholine (PC): Nourish Your Brain, Protect Your Cells
Phosphatidylcholine is a natural component of every cell membrane in the body and a primary source of choline, which the brain and nervous system rely on to produce acetylcholine — a neurotransmitter essential to memory, muscle function, and nerve signaling. While the body produces its own choline, levels can drop significantly with age, toxic exposures, or chronic illness. IV phosphatidylcholine therapy may benefit patients dealing with liver damage, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, memory problems, autoimmune conditions, mold or environmental toxicity, anxiety, and brain injury from stroke or trauma.
NAD+ : Fuel for Every Cell
NAD+ is a coenzyme found in every living cell and is essential to energy metabolism, DNA repair, immune regulation, and healthy aging. Levels of NAD+ decline naturally with age, and this decline is associated with fatigue, cognitive decline, muscle loss, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disease. At GWCIM, NAD+ is offered as an intramuscular injection — a highly effective and convenient alternative to IV infusion for this particular therapy. It is especially beneficial for patients with chronic fatigue, Long COVID, suspected poor mitochondrial function, and those recovering from addiction to substances. For a deeper look at NAD+, please visit our dedicated NAD+ page.
Mistletoe Therapy: Botanical Support for the Cancer Journey
For patients navigating cancer, we offer mistletoe (Iscador) injection therapy as an integrative oncology support treatment. Mistletoe has been used in European cancer care for decades and is one of the most studied complementary cancer therapies in the world. Please contact us to learn more about this option.
Custom and Traveling Patient: Your Formula, Wherever You Are
We also create individualized IV formulas for patients with specific needs. If you are traveling through Washington, D.C., and your physician at another practice has prescribed a nutritional IV formula, we may be able to administer it for you. Please call us at 202-833-5055 to discuss your needs before your visit.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Reset. Rewire. Recover.
We also offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) at GWCIM. While KAP involves an IV infusion, it is a distinct therapeutic program — please visit our KAP page for more information.
EXPERTISE
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More about Intravenous Therapies: IVs
Care Options
Q&A
Q&A
Session length varies depending on the type of infusion. A Myers' Cocktail typically takes 30–60 minutes. High-dose Vitamin C infusions may take 90 minutes to several hours, depending on the dose. Phosphatidylcholine infusions are often among the longer sessions. Your care team will give you a specific time estimate when scheduling. We encourage you to bring something to read, listen to, or watch — many patients find the sessions to be a relaxing, restful break in their day.
Yes. Before your first IV infusion at GWCIM, you will need to be seen by one of our physicians. This ensures that the right formula is selected for your specific needs, that there are no contraindications, and that your treatment is properly prescribed and documented. This is a safety standard we do not skip — and it is part of what makes care at GWCIM different from walk-in IV bars.
No — NAD+ at GWCIM is offered as an intramuscular (IM) injection, not an intravenous infusion. An IM injection is delivered into the muscle rather than into a vein, which is a simpler, quicker procedure — more like a standard vaccine or B12 shot than a drip infusion. It is still highly effective for delivering NAD+ and is a convenient option for patients who want the benefits of NAD+ without the time commitment of a full IV session. During your training session, we will teach you how to self-administer NAD+ at home.
Not quite. While ketamine can be administered intravenously, KAP is a distinct clinical program that combines a ketamine session with structured psychotherapy — it is as much a mental health treatment as it is a medical infusion. KAP requires its own intake process, therapist involvement, and preparation and integration sessions. It is not interchangeable with nutritional IV therapy. At GWCIM, we provide KAT via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections at the clinic. Please visit our dedicated KAP page for full details.
EDUCATION