IV Therapy’s Rise: Medical Innovation or Wellness Marketing Ploy?
By Arunima Rajan
In an exclusive interview with Healthcare Executive magazine, Dr. David Sherman, Medical Director at Reset IV, discusses the business realities and medical cautions around this fast-growing segment.
What is your take on the growth of IV drip industry in the last few years. When did it take off in the US?
IV drip therapy's growth in the United States is largely attributed to health-conscious lifestyle trends. Of course this is a global trend as influencers and the like are creating content from all corners of the world, however, in the US alone the IV therapy market was valued at roughly 1.15 Billion in 2023. There are projections to suggest there will be an annual growth rate until 2030 of about 10%. A large part of this prediction is the continuous rise in health and wellness.
What are some of the popular IV drips, currently in vogue?
DAs IV drips have grown in popularity there are generally four main treatments that we can categorize into:
Dr. David Sherman, Medical Director, Reset IV
Myers' Cocktail: This generally a blend of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium, often used to boost energy and immunity. This is pretty universal in its naming. This is named after Dr. John Myers, a Maryland-based physician that developed this intravenous vitamin and mineral treatment in the 60s!
Anti-Ageing’Skin Rejuvenation: This is where you will start to find variety in products but overall you will see a common theme of vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, and glutathione, aimed at promoting skin health and reducing signs of aging.
Athletic Performance: Performance IV are also on the rise, specifically for professional athletes that have to put their bodies through intense workouts and long games. These treatments may contain B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and glutathione, designed to enhance endurance and accelerate muscle recovery. Reset IV's version is branded as workout routine support.
Health & Wellness IV: I would say this is where we are seeing the most noise in regards to how social media influencers are engaging with IV therapy. Typically, these IV drips are a little lighter in nature and a bit more all-inclusive. These could potentially include B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C, intended to maintain energy levels and support overall wellness. https://resetiv.com/products/hydration-wellness
Can you share some data on the pricing of the top 5 IV drips?
Dr. DS: I can give you a generalised summary of our prices versus what are some of the top performing IV drips that are growing in popularity.
Meyers Cocktail - $249.00
Skin Rejuvenation - $269.00
Workout Routine Support - $299.00
Hydration Wellness - $159.00
Pre-Natal - $219.00
IV drips have now moved out of hospitals to spas and salons? Is it a good trend?
As long as the facility has a medical professional staffed, I think this is great. The drip itself can be a wonderful method for delivering essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream. This can result in improved energy, enhanced recovery for athletes and boosted immunity during cold and flu season. If you know how to incorporate IV drips into your overall wellness and know what your body needs, then IV drips can be more than a trend.
What is the market size of IV drip clinics in the US? What are some of the major trends for 2024 and predictions for 2025?
I think a major trend for 2025 and beyond is going to continue to be the demand for mobile IV services. People do want this service, but they want it on their own terms and with as much added convenience as possible.
Who are the major players in the US market?
Is it safe to take IV drips and what precautions should people take?
While IV drips are safe, they are only safe under the guidance of a medical professional. Folks should definitely consult with a healthcare provider before getting an IV drip for the first time, especially anyone with underlying health problems.
Are they often exorbitantly priced and taking access away from people who actually need it?
Not necessarily. In most cases, the added price here is taken into considering the convenience of the service, as well as the medical supplies used to provide service. I would recommend speaking to their medical provider if they were deeply suffering from a vitamin deficit to the point that the need for treatment was a factor.
Some of the IV drips like fat burner drip and those that remove brain fog are extremely overpriced? Are they really effective? If you could talk about specific ingredients/manufacturers of these ingredients would be useful.
While Reset IV does not offer a specific brain fog treatment, we do offer a weight loss treatment, and fat loss is indeed part of the description. Our treatment uses a combination of Methionine, Inositol, and Choline all of which help metabolise fat and reduce fat deposits. This is easier to gauge results vs brain fog, so I can understand the hesitation around some of these more expensive options. It is important to remember that IV drips should never be seen as an end all, but as a tool to assist you in achieving your health and body goals.
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