Intravenous NAD+: what it is, what the science says and what an infusion involves

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every cell of the body, essential for mitochondria to produce energy. Its levels decline with age, and intravenous infusion is one of the ways wellness medicine uses to support cellular energy, cognitive clarity and healthy aging. In clinic, an NAD+ IV session lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, is administered in doses of 250 to 1000 mg and is usually organized in courses of 4 to 6 sessions.

Below we review exactly what this molecule is, what scientific evidence exists —and what its limits are— and how a doctor-supervised infusion unfolds, with published prices.

Key points

• NAD+ is involved in ATP production, sirtuin activity and DNA repair.
• Studies in human tissue describe declines in its levels of up to 50% between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Most controlled human trials have been conducted with oral precursors (NR and NMN); the evidence for intravenous NAD+ is still preliminary.
• An infusion lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, and the rate is adjusted to each person's tolerance.
• At Santé Clinics: 250 mg (€500), 500 mg (€750) and 1000 mg (€1000), with recommended courses of 4 to 6 sessions.
• Results vary from person to person; no serious protocol promises a guaranteed effect.

What is NAD+ and why does it matter for cellular energy?

A coenzyme present in every cell

NAD+ is a coenzyme: a molecule that enables enzymes to do their work. It takes part in glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, the three processes by which the mitochondrion converts nutrients into ATP, the cell's energy currency.

NAD+ is also a substrate for two much-studied families of enzymes: sirtuins, linked to metabolic regulation and cellular longevity (an axis described by Imai and Guarente in 2014), and PARP enzymes, which are involved in repairing damaged DNA.

The decline with age

NAD+ levels are not stable: they fall with age in skin, brain and other tissues. One of the mechanisms described is the increase in CD38, an enzyme that degrades NAD+ and whose activity grows over the years (Camacho-Pereira et al., Cell Metabolism, 2016).

In human tissue, several studies describe NAD+ declines of up to 50% between the ages of 40 and 60 (Massudi et al., PLOS ONE, 2012).

This decline explains the research interest in NAD+ in the field of healthy aging and cellular energy.

What does the science say about intravenous NAD+?

The strongest evidence in humans comes from oral NAD+ precursors: nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Controlled trials have shown that both safely raise blood NAD+ levels.

In adults aged 55 to 79, 1 g of NR daily for 6 weeks raised cellular NAD+ by around 60% (Martens et al., Nature Communications, 2018).

Intravenous NAD+ delivers the molecule directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract. Medical honesty requires us to be precise: the published evidence on IV NAD+ is still preliminary, with small studies and clinical series, and large controlled trials are lacking.

That is why we present it as what it is: support for cellular wellness within supervised medicine, not a treatment for disease.

What an NAD+ infusion in clinic involves: doses, duration and courses

Doses and prices

At Santé Clinics, NAD+ IV is administered in three doses, with a published price per session:

Higher doses are infused more slowly, so they usually take the upper end of the range. The infusion rate is adjusted at all times to each person's tolerance.

Session duration

An NAD+ infusion lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, longer than a conventional vitamin drip (30-60 minutes). The slow infusion reduces the transient discomfort this molecule can cause.

Recommended courses

For sustained results, courses of 4 to 6 sessions are recommended. The frequency is defined by the medical team after the initial assessment, and the response is reviewed at the end of the course.

Step by step: the flow of your infusion

The diagram below shows how an NAD+ infusion unfolds in clinic, from the initial medical assessment to the final review of the course:

flowchart TD
    A["Medical assessment"] --> B["Personalized protocol"]
    B --> C["Dose selection: 250-1000 mg"]
    C --> D["Supervised infusion: 60-120 min"]
    D --> E["Observation and guidance"]
    E --> F["Course of 4-6 sessions"]
    F --> G["Medical review"]

What you can expect and what cannot be promised

During the infusion some people notice mild nausea, a feeling of warmth, chest pressure or cramps; these are known effects that usually subside when the infusion rate is reduced. Afterwards, some people report more energy or mental clarity within hours or days, while others only notice it after several sessions.

Results vary individually. No serious clinic can promise a specific effect, a guaranteed timeframe or measurable rejuvenation: IV NAD+ is a wellness support, not a promise.

Contraindications and safety

A prior medical assessment is mandatory and determines each person's suitability. As a precaution, IV NAD+ is not recommended in these cases:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Active cancer or undergoing cancer treatment.
• Severe liver or kidney failure.
• Minors.

The infusion is performed by medical staff using sterile technique and single-use materials. If any complex medical condition exists, the final decision rests with the doctor.

How Santé Clinics approaches it

At Santé Clinics (Avenida Diagonal 384, Barcelona), IV therapy is led by Dr. Alejandro Infante and every protocol begins with a medical assessment. Based on that evaluation, the dose —250, 500 or 1000 mg—, the infusion rate and the number of sessions in the course are defined.

The medical consultation costs €50 and the general aesthetic consultation is free; the two-week follow-up is included at no extra cost. For those seeking more general support, the Premium Drip and the Fitness Drip (€250 per session, 30-60 minutes) are alternatives supervised by the same medical team.

We see patients in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Russian, with a team of qualified medical professionals and a 4.9 Google rating from more than 600 reviews.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an NAD+ infusion cost?

At Santé Clinics: €500 for the 250 mg session, €750 for 500 mg and €1000 for 1000 mg. The prior medical assessment costs €50.

How many sessions are recommended?

For sustained results, courses of 4 to 6 sessions with a medical review at the end. The exact frequency is personalized in consultation.

Does the infusion have side effects?

Mild nausea, warmth or chest pressure may appear during the infusion; they usually resolve when the infusion rate is lowered. The session requires no recovery time afterwards.

Intravenous NAD+ or oral supplements?

Oral precursors (NR, NMN) have more published controlled trials; the intravenous route delivers the molecule directly into the blood. The choice depends on your goals, your budget and medical judgment.

Who is not a candidate for IV NAD+?

Pregnant or breastfeeding people, those with active cancer or with severe liver or kidney failure. The medical assessment resolves each case individually.