Evidence · Strong & indicated
Fluid & Electrolyte Infusion
Intravenous fluids and electrolytes for dehydration a physician has confirmed, given at a controlled rate when drinking enough is not possible.
30 minutes
Skip to content
IV Therapy & NAD+
Vitamin C & Zinc Infusion
Intravenous vitamin C, zinc and B vitamins, prescribed after screening when your blood results or a clinical reason support it.
- Duration
- 45 minutes
- Sessions
- As prescribed after screening and blood work
- Downtime
- None
Overview
Your immune system needs adequate vitamin C, zinc and B vitamins to work normally, and a deficiency in any of them impairs immune function. The harder question is whether extra amounts help people who are not deficient. For most people, the evidence says they do not.
Vitamin C: the gut tightly controls how much is absorbed, so tablets can only raise blood levels so far. A 2004 study (Padayatty SJ et al., Annals of Internal Medicine) showed that intravenous vitamin C produces much higher plasma concentrations than oral doses: at a 1.25 g dose, peak levels were about six times higher by vein than by mouth. Higher blood levels are not the same as better immunity. A Cochrane review of placebo-controlled trials (Hemilä H, Chalker E, 2013) found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce how often people in the general population caught colds. It shortened colds slightly, by about 8 percent in adults.
Zinc: zinc deficiency impairs immune function and is common in some populations. An individual patient data meta-analysis of three trials (Hemilä H et al., Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2017) found that zinc acetate lozenges, started within 24 hours of cold symptoms, sped recovery. Those trials used lozenges, which act in the throat. They tell us nothing about zinc given by vein.
B vitamins support energy metabolism in dividing immune cells, and B6 deficiency can reduce antibody production. Correcting a deficiency is worthwhile. Extra amounts beyond that have not been shown to strengthen immunity.
We prescribe this infusion when a physician sees a reason: confirmed low levels, poor absorption, or recovery after illness. We do not offer it as a way to prevent infection. Every infusion is prepared under physician protocol and given by a trained nurse under supervision. Book a consultation with our longevity physician to discuss whether it is right for you.
What the evidence says
Evidence · EmergingPlausible biology and early human data. We tell you what is and is not known. How we grade evidence
What it shows
IV vitamin C reaches blood levels far above any oral dose, and white blood cells concentrate vitamin C.
What it does not show
Regular vitamin C has not been shown to prevent colds in the general population, and no trial shows that an IV course prevents infection in healthy adults.
- 01Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 2017. (opens in a new tab)
Review: 100–200 mg a day prevents deficiency; established infections may need gram doses.
- 02Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013. (opens in a new tab)
In 11,306 people, regular vitamin C did not reduce how often colds occurred in the general population; it shortened them slightly.
What it can and cannot do
What it can do
- Raise blood vitamin C far above any oral dose.Source [1]
- Correct a measured low level, when a physician sees a clinical reason.
What it cannot do
- Prevent colds or infection. Regular vitamin C did not reduce how often colds occurred in the general population.Source [2]
- Be given with G6PD deficiency. That is checked first.
Numbers in brackets point to the studies above. Medical review: a physician who did not write this page checks each line against the source it cites, and checks that nothing reads as a promised result. How we review
Who it's for
A good fit
- Adults with low vitamin C or zinc levels on testing
- People with conditions that limit absorption from the gut
- Recovery after illness, where a physician recommends it
- Patients who want the evidence explained before deciding
- Not a substitute for vaccination, rest or medical care when unwell
Talk to us first
- G6PD deficiency (high-dose Vitamin C contraindicated)
- Kidney stones history (discuss with physician)
- Haemochromatosis or iron overload disorders
The markers that decide eligibility
Checked before you start, so the physician knows the infusion is safe for you.
Before your first session
- Tell us about G6PD deficiency, kidney stones or iron overload.
- Bring a list of your current medicines. History and vitals are checked, and relevant blood work is reviewed, before your first infusion.
- Nothing is mixed until a physician has prescribed it for you; it is given only where clinically indicated.
- Time to allow: 45 minutes.
Your physician confirms at screening whether this is right for you. If anything above applies, tell us when you book.
What happens on the day
- 01
Screening
History, current medicines and vitals are checked. Relevant blood work is reviewed before your first infusion.
- 02
Prescription
The physician confirms the formulation and rate. Nothing is mixed until it is prescribed for you.
- 03
The infusion
A cannula is placed by our medical team and the infusion runs at a controlled rate: 45 minutes.
- 04
Aftercare
Vitals are rechecked before you leave, and the next session is planned only if it is needed.
Equipment and method
- 01High-dose Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) infusion
- 02Chelated zinc formulation
- 03Methylated B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folate, B12)
- 04Sterile preparation under physician protocol
Physician oversight
Dr. Asritha, MD Anaesthesia, leads the execution of all IV therapy and HBOT protocols, ensuring clinical-grade safety, dosing accuracy, and emergency preparedness for every session.
Meet the clinical teamQuestions people ask
Can this infusion prevent me from getting sick?
No. A Cochrane review found that taking vitamin C regularly does not reduce how often people in the general population catch colds, and we do not offer this infusion to prevent infection. It is used to correct low levels or support recovery when a physician sees a reason.
Why not just take vitamin C tablets and zinc lozenges?
For most people, a good diet, and tablets where needed, are enough. IV vitamin C does produce much higher blood levels than tablets, but that has not been shown to improve immunity in people who are not deficient. The zinc evidence for colds comes from lozenges started early, not from infusions.
Should I have this infusion before travel?
We do not recommend it as routine travel preparation, because there is no good evidence that it prevents travel-related infections. Vaccinations, sleep, hand hygiene and a normal diet matter more. If you have low levels or are recovering from illness, your physician may suggest it.
Related treatments
Evidence · Emerging
Glutathione Infusion
Intravenous glutathione, given only where a physician finds a clinical indication after screening. Not offered as a cosmetic or anti-ageing treatment.
30-45 minutes
Evidence · Emerging
NAD+ Infusion (250 mg)
The 250 mg NAD+ infusion is our usual starting dose, given slowly at a controlled rate while our medical team monitors you.
2-3 hours per infusion
Your biological age is a number you can measure.
Start with the 400+ parameter entry assessment and a 60-minute physician consultation at either Hyderabad clinic. Open seven days, 11 AM to 9 PM.
Book a consultation