Table of Contents
- Key points
- What IV vitamin therapy is
- How a drip therapy session works, step by step
- What each drip contains and how much it costs
- Who it makes sense for (and who it doesn't)
- Results: what to expect, what varies and what cannot be promised
- Safety and contraindications
- How Santé Clinics approaches it
- Frequently asked questions
IV vitamin therapy —also known as drip therapy— delivers vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line, always under medical supervision. A vitamin drip session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes; a NAD+ infusion, between 60 and 120 minutes. At Santé Clinics, on Avenida Diagonal 384 (Barcelona), no drip is administered without a prior medical assessment.
Key points
- The intravenous route offers 100% bioavailability; oral absorption of many nutrients is variable.
- A vitamin drip session lasts 30–60 minutes; NAD+ IV, 60–120 minutes.
- Prices: Premium Drip and Fitness Drip, €250 per session; NAD+ IV, between €500 and €1,000 depending on the dose.
- Every IV protocol begins with a medical assessment; the two-week follow-up is included.
- Results vary from person to person: drip therapy is a support, not a treatment for disease.
What IV vitamin therapy is
Drip therapy is a technique commonly used in hospital medicine that aesthetic and wellness medicine has adapted to deliver nutrients for supportive purposes: energy, hydration, physical recovery or reinforcement during periods of greater strain. By entering the circulation directly, nutrients bypass the digestive tract, where absorption depends on the dose, intestinal transit and diet.
In pharmacology, the intravenous route is defined by 100% bioavailability: everything administered reaches the bloodstream. Orally, the absorption of nutrients such as vitamin C or magnesium decreases at high doses and varies between individuals.
This does not make the drip a substitute for diet or sleep. It makes it a controlled, measurable route of delivery, with doses defined by a doctor and recorded in your medical history.
How a drip therapy session works, step by step
A session follows a fixed flow that starts before the line is placed and ends two weeks later. These are the steps:
- Medical assessment
- Drip selection
- Preparation and venipuncture
- Infusion 30-120 min
- Observation and discharge
- Two-week follow-up
- Medical assessment. A doctor reviews your medical history, medication and goal (energy, recovery, travel). If there are contraindications, the session is postponed or ruled out.
- Drip selection. The formula is chosen: Premium, Fitness, NAD+ or a personalized Custom Drip.
- Preparation and venipuncture. A peripheral line is placed in the arm, using sterile single-use materials.
- Infusion. The drip runs for 30–60 minutes (NAD+: 60–120). You can read or work during the session.
- Observation and discharge. The line is removed, the puncture site is checked and you return to your normal activity.
- Two-week follow-up. Included at no extra cost, to assess the response and adjust the plan.
What each drip contains and how much it costs
Santé works with four IV therapy lines, led by Dr. Alejandro Infante and administered by registered medical doctors. This table summarizes composition, duration and price:
| Drip | Components | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SANTÉ Premium Drip | Glutathione, vitamin C, B complex, biotin, magnesium | 30–60 min | €250/session |
| Fitness Drip | Carnitine, B complex, zinc, taurine, vitamin C, biotin | 30–60 min | €250/session |
| Custom Drip | Personalized formula after medical assessment | 30–60 min | Varies with personalization |
| NAD+ IV 250 mg | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide | 60–120 min | €500 |
| NAD+ IV 500 mg | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide | 60–120 min | €750 |
| NAD+ IV 1000 mg | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide | 60–120 min | €1,000 |
The Premium Drip is geared towards energy, vitality and immune support; the Fitness Drip, towards physical performance and muscle recovery. Glutathione is administered within the Premium Drip or personalized formulas, never as a standalone treatment. NAD+ is a coenzyme present in every cell; its infusion is proposed as support for cellular energy production, cognitive clarity, mood and healthy aging, always as support and never as a promise of results.
Who it makes sense for (and who it doesn't)
In consultation, four profiles come up most often: people going through periods of sustained fatigue, frequent travelers with jet lag or dehydration, athletes in high-load phases, and those seeking a one-off recovery, for example after a night of excess. In every case the starting point is the same: medical history and realistic expectations.
It does not make sense —or requires strict assessment— during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in kidney or heart failure, with a known allergy to any component, or with incompatible treatments. Nor does it make sense as a substitute for sleep, eating well or treating an illness: if fatigue has a medical cause, the right thing is to see the appropriate specialist.
Results: what to expect, what varies and what cannot be promised
Some people describe a feeling of hydration and energy the same day or within the following 24–48 hours; others do not notice an immediate change. The response depends on your baseline state, hydration, rest and the chosen formula. Results vary from person to person.
For NAD+ IV, courses of 4 to 6 sessions are recommended when sustained results are sought; each infusion lasts between 60 and 120 minutes. A single session does not constitute a program.
| Timing | What you can expect |
|---|---|
| During the session | A mild initial prick; then, 30–120 minutes sitting or reclined |
| 24–48 h afterwards | Possible feeling of energy and hydration; no immediate change may be noticed |
| NAD+ course (4–6 sessions) | Assessment of sustained results with medical follow-up |
| Two-week follow-up | Included at no cost: adjustment of formula or frequency |
What cannot be promised: losing weight, curing chronic fatigue, treating diagnosed deficiencies or "rejuvenating" by a number of years. If a clinic guarantees you a specific result, be wary.
Safety and contraindications
Drip therapy is a minor medical procedure, but it is a medical procedure. The most common side effects are a small bruise at the puncture site, a feeling of cold in the arm or mild discomfort during the infusion. More serious reactions are uncommon and are prevented with a rigorous prior assessment.
At Santé, every session is performed or supervised by a registered medical doctor, with sterile single-use materials and a record of the formula administered. You must report any medication, allergy or condition —including pregnancy and breastfeeding— before your first session.
How Santé Clinics approaches it
Every IV protocol at Santé begins with a medical consultation (€50), in which a doctor reviews your case and decides whether the therapy is right for you; if it isn't, you are told so. The IV therapy area is led by Dr. Alejandro Infante and the protocol is personalized: the formula, dose and frequency are adjusted to your goal, not the other way around.
The aesthetic consultation is free, the two-week follow-up is included, and care is offered in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Russian. The clinic is located at Avenida Diagonal 384, Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
Does drip therapy hurt?
The only uncomfortable moment is the initial prick, similar to a blood test. During the infusion you can read, work or rest; most people describe the session as a quiet, relaxing time.
How long do the effects last?
It varies. Hydration is often noticeable immediately; vitamin support may be felt for days. There is no guaranteed duration: it depends on your baseline state and your habits.
Can I have a drip if I am pregnant or taking medication?
You must always mention this at the medical assessment. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and certain medications are grounds for postponement or ruling out; that decision is made by the doctor, not the patient or reception.
Does IV therapy replace a balanced diet or rest?
No. It is an occasional complement or a support program, never a substitute for sleeping, eating and training well. Anyone who presents it as a substitute is not being honest.
How much does drip therapy cost in Barcelona?
At Santé, the Premium Drip and the Fitness Drip cost €250 per session; the Custom Drip varies with the formula; NAD+ IV costs €500 (250 mg), €750 (500 mg) or €1,000 (1,000 mg). The initial medical consultation costs €50 and the two-week follow-up is included.
