What an IV vitamin drip in Stoke-on-Trent involves

IV stands for intravenous, meaning into a vein. A fine, flexible tube called a cannula is placed in a vein, usually in the arm or the back of the hand, and a bag containing a sterile fluid with added vitamins, minerals or other ingredients is connected to it. The fluid then runs in slowly while you sit in a reclining chair.

Most drips take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the type and volume. You can read, use your phone or simply rest. Once the bag has finished, the cannula is removed and a small dressing applied, and you can usually carry on with your day.

Your health check before a drip

Not everyone is suitable for an IV drip, so we never start one without first talking through your health. Before your first drip your practitioner will ask about:

any medical conditions, including diabetes, heart, kidney or liver problems
medicines and supplements you take
allergies and any previous reactions
whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding
how you are feeling on the day

If anything suggests a drip may not be right for you, we will say so and may suggest you speak to your GP first. We would rather turn a booking away than treat someone for whom it is not appropriate. If you have ongoing symptoms such as tiredness, headaches or low mood, please see your GP: a drip cannot diagnose or treat the cause.

Monitoring throughout: one client's experience

One of our IV drip clients has type 2 diabetes. Before her drip, her practitioner went through her condition and medication with her, and during the treatment monitored her blood sugar levels throughout, rather than simply setting up the drip and leaving her to it. She has told us that this attention is what put her at ease.

That is the standard of care we aim for with everyone. Your practitioner stays with you or close by for the whole drip, checks how you are feeling, keeps an eye on the cannula site and can slow or stop the drip at any point if you feel unwell or uncomfortable.

Each drip is a different blend of ingredients. We describe them here by what they contain; your practitioner will talk through which, if any, suits you after your health check.

Tailored drip: rather than a fixed blend, your practitioner puts together a drip for you after your health check, choosing from the vitamins, minerals and other ingredients on this menu.
Vitamin C drip: vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin the body uses in making collagen.
Glutathione drip: glutathione, an antioxidant the body also makes naturally.
Skin brightening drip: a combination of glutathione, vitamin C and thioctic acid, chosen by clients interested in their skin.
NAD+ drip: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme involved in the body's energy production.
Myers' cocktail: a blend of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes named after Dr John Myers, a physician who used it in the 1970s.
Athletic drip: fluids with vitamins and minerals, popular with people who train regularly.
L-carnitine and L-arginine drip: two amino acids, chosen by clients who are working on their fitness and weight with diet and exercise.

Who might consider a drip

The people who ask us about drips are varied: busy professionals, people who train for sport, frequent travellers and clients who simply prefer a clinic setting to tablets. What they have in common is that they are generally well and want a supervised, relaxed appointment.

A drip is not suitable as a way of managing a long-term condition, and it is not a replacement for a balanced diet, enough sleep or advice from a doctor. If you want to know your vitamin levels before deciding, a private blood test can check things such as vitamin D and B12, and you can discuss the results with your GP or our clinician.

IV drip prices and booking

IV drips start from £150 per session, and package discounts are available if you plan to come more than once. The price depends on the drip you choose; you can see the details on our price list.

When you book your appointment, allow up to an hour and a half for your first visit so there is time for the health check without rushing. Wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily, and bring a list of any medicines you take.

In their words

IV drips: client stories

Real Bayside clients, filmed in our clinic. Tap to play.

KimberlyIV drip

“I’m type 2 diabetic. They kept checking my levels and looked after me so well.”

KathyFacial and IV drip

“My first time at Bayside — my face looks really nice and bright.”

IV drip clientIV drip

“The staff were so friendly and the place is really clean.”

FAQs

IV drips: your questions

How long does an IV drip take?

Most drips take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the type and the volume of fluid. Your first appointment takes longer because we complete a health check before anything starts. You can relax in a reclining chair while the drip runs, and once it has finished the cannula is removed and you can usually return to your normal day straight away.

Are IV drips safe?

Any treatment that involves a needle in a vein carries some risk, such as bruising or soreness where the cannula goes in, and rarely infection or a reaction to an ingredient. That is why we complete a health check first and monitor you throughout. Drips are given in a clinical setting, and your practitioner can slow or stop the drip at any point.

Can I have an IV drip if I have diabetes?

Possibly, but it depends on your individual health, so please tell us when you book. Your practitioner will go through your condition and medication at your health check. One of our clients with type 2 diabetes had her blood sugar levels monitored throughout her drip. If we have any doubt about whether a drip is suitable, we will advise you to speak to your GP first.

Can an IV drip treat tiredness or stop me getting ill?

We do not claim that a drip will treat, prevent or cure anything, and we would be wary of any clinic that does. A drip delivers fluids and nutrients directly into a vein; how any individual responds varies. If you feel persistently tired or keep getting unwell, please speak to your GP, as there may be an underlying cause that needs medical attention.

How often can I have an IV drip?

There is no single answer, because it depends on the drip and on your health. Some clients come occasionally, others more regularly, and package discounts are available. Your practitioner will advise you on a sensible interval and will repeat the health questions at each visit, as your medicines or health may have changed since you were last in.

Where can I get an IV drip near me in Stoke-on-Trent?

Our clinic is on Pelham Street in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3LL, which is easy to reach from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burslem, Longton, Kidsgrove and Stone. You can book online or call 01782 438998. If you are not sure whether a drip is right for you, call first and we will talk you through the health check and what to expect.

Is an IV drip a substitute for seeing a doctor?

No. An IV drip is a wellness appointment, not medical treatment, and it cannot diagnose or treat any condition. If you have symptoms, a long-term illness or take regular medication, your GP should always be your first port of call. We are happy to wait until you have spoken to them, and our health check may also lead us to suggest it.

Can I have a tailored IV drip?

Yes. Alongside our set drips, we offer a tailored drip that your practitioner puts together for you after your health check, using ingredients from our menu. It is priced from £150 per session, like our other drips, and your practitioner will explain exactly what is in it and why before anything goes ahead.

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