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Myers' Cocktail
Myers' Cocktail is a classic intravenous (IV) blend of B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium, given for energy and wellbeing. It was pioneered by Dr. John Myers, MD, who formulated this vitamin and mineral treatment to address a range of clinical conditions, including fatigue, fibromyalgia and muscle spasms.
The drip takes about 1 hour. Because the nutrients go straight into the bloodstream, they bypass the digestive system and reach your cells quickly and in higher amounts than food or tablets can provide.
What it is and how it works
Why IV rather than tablets
IV vitamin therapy delivers a high concentration of nutrients directly into the bloodstream to correct nutritional deficiency and optimize health. Oral supplements are sometimes ineffective because of poor absorption. An IV infusion bypasses the digestive system, so the vitamins are absorbed faster and more efficiently and the therapeutic effect is immediate.
Many factors affect how well the stomach absorbs nutrients, including age, metabolism, health status, genetics, interactions with other things we consume, and the physical and chemical makeup of the supplement or food. As a doctor from Creighton University explains: "When a person receives an IV vitamin treatment, they're receiving a liquid mixture of vitamins and minerals through a small tube inserted into a vein. This allows the nutrients to be absorbed quickly and directly into the bloodstream, a method that produces higher levels of the vitamins and minerals in your body than if you got them from food or supplements ... Higher levels of the vitamins and minerals in your bloodstream lead to greater uptake into cells, which theoretically will use the nutrients to maintain health and fight illness."
Why the drip?
Modern life is ever more demanding, with excessive stress, environmental pollution and poor food choices that lead to nutritional deficiency. Our modern diet of over-processed and fast food often leaves us seriously short of essential nutrients. The depletion of vital vitamins, minerals and amino acids undermines the immune system and can harm our health, leading to chronic illness. Many of these vitamins and minerals cannot be made by the body and must come from our daily food. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is vital, but if a hectic lifestyle means you often skip meals, don't eat as well as you should, or drink a little more than you should, IV drip therapy is a practical alternative that helps restore the body to its peak performance and vitality.
What is in the drip
The standard Myers' Cocktail combines several components, each with its own benefits, in an IV bag of normal saline solution:
Vitamin C. Renowned for its immune-boosting properties, skin health support and antioxidant benefits that combat oxidative stress.
B-complex vitamins. Including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12. B vitamins play critical roles in energy metabolism, nerve function and overall wellbeing, and may help relieve fatigue and improve cognitive function. The B-complex group helps your body convert food into energy and supports cardiovascular health and immune function. Vitamin B12 is associated with preventing memory loss, improving concentration and boosting energy levels.
Magnesium. Stored in bones, muscles and soft tissues. Magnesium has been associated with reduced fatigue, relief from migraines, fewer muscle spasms and a potentially lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Saline solution. Normal saline carries all these components into the bloodstream and rehydrates the body at the same time.
Myers' Cocktail does not contain calcium.
What it is for
Myers' Cocktail is given for energy and wellbeing. It is often promoted as a wellness booster. Research on the specific benefits of the Myers' Cocktail is more limited than for some other IV therapies, and benefits vary from person to person. The potential benefits suggested include:
More energy. Myers' Cocktail may provide a quick energy boost thanks to its B vitamins, including B12, which plays a role in energy metabolism.
Immune support. Vitamin C is known to support immune health and may help reduce the severity and duration of illnesses.
Better hydration. IV therapy hydrates directly, which can help people who are dehydrated or have symptoms such as fatigue, headaches or dry skin.
Detoxification support. Antioxidants help the body's natural detoxification processes by neutralizing harmful free radicals.
Less inflammation. Magnesium and vitamin C have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation-related symptoms.
Hangover relief. Some people use Myers' Cocktail for hangovers, as it quickly replaces nutrients and fluid lost during heavy drinking.
Support for certain medical conditions. Doctors sometimes recommend Myers' Cocktail as part of a treatment plan for conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, although the evidence in these conditions is limited.
Who it is for
People who feel tired or run down and want more energy
People with a busy lifestyle who skip meals, don't eat as well as they should, or drink more alcohol than they should
People looking for hangover relief
People with fatigue, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, migraines or chronic fatigue syndrome, as part of a plan agreed with a doctor
People at risk of low vitamin B1 (thiamine) or B12; see The science
The treatment
The drip takes about 1 hour.
Screening. Before your first drip, your medical history is reviewed to check that the drip is suitable for you.
The drip. You sit in a comfortable recliner chair. A small tube is placed in a vein in your arm; it feels much like having blood drawn for a lab test. The vitamin mixture then flows slowly into your bloodstream. Every drip is freshly prepared for you.
Afterwards. The benefits are usually felt straight away, and you can return to your normal day.
The number of sessions is always set by your doctor after an in-person assessment. Several treatments can be combined on the same day, as your doctor advises. Other drip formulas can also be given at the same visit (see the FAQ).
Before and aftercare
Eat. Please eat before your drip. Don't come on an empty stomach. Some vitamins and minerals can cause nausea if infused on an empty stomach, and a light meal or snack helps your body absorb the drip more effectively.
Hydrate. Drink a few glasses of water before your appointment. You might think the IV will rehydrate you, but at a cellular level the infused minerals and vitamins are dehydrating, so your body responds better if you arrive hydrated. Veins are also smaller and harder to find when you are dehydrated.
Wear comfortable clothes. A short-sleeved top, or sleeves that roll up above the elbow, is best. Wear comfortable trousers and socks, especially if you tend to get cold; we have blankets to keep you warm.
Relax and breathe. Once you are seated, take a few minutes to relax. This releases nervous tension and prepares you for the treatment.
Bring a book or music. Bring the magazines or book you have not had time for, or your favorite music with earbuds. This time is yours to enjoy.
Quality and safety
Ingredients are imported through official distributors. We use only preservative-free vitamins imported from Japan and Switzerland.
Every drip is prepared under strict safety guidelines, with sterile technique. Every drip is fresh and new.
Your drip is given by a well-trained, experienced team, with a doctor on site for consultations and to ensure the best possible care. IV therapy should always be given by trained healthcare professionals and tailored to individual needs.
We use hospital-standard equipment.
Your medical history is reviewed before treatment.
Please eat before your drip. Don't come on an empty stomach.
The science
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and beriberi
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays a crucial role in nerve, muscle and heart function. It is essential for glucose metabolism and allows the body to use carbohydrates for energy.
Beriberi is the disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, and it can be life-threatening if not treated. It comes in two forms:
Wet beriberi affects the circulatory system and, in extreme cases, can cause heart failure. Signs include shortness of breath, a change in heart rate and swollen lower legs.
Dry beriberi damages the nerves and can lead to reduced muscle strength and, eventually, paralysis. Signs include reduced reflexes, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, blurry vision, fatigue and irritability.
In developed countries, beriberi today mostly occurs in people with an alcohol use disorder. It is also seen in women with extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, in people with AIDS, and after gastric bypass surgery. Thiamine deficiency is more common among:
people in developing countries who live on white rice or other highly refined carbohydrates
people who drink heavily
cancer patients
pregnant women with morning sickness
gastric bypass surgery patients
dialysis patients
In extreme cases, beriberi has been linked to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome:
Wernicke encephalopathy damages the thalamus and hypothalamus in the brain. It can cause memory loss, confusion, visual problems such as rapid eye movement (fluttering) and double vision, and loss of muscle coordination.
Korsakoff syndrome is caused by permanent damage to the region of the brain where memories form. It can cause memory loss, an inability to create new memories, and hallucinations.
If beriberi is detected and treated early, there is a good chance of full recovery: nerve and heart damage is usually reversible, and recovery is quick once treatment begins. If the deficiency progresses to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, the outlook is less hopeful. Treatment can reduce the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy, but brain damage from Korsakoff syndrome is generally permanent.
Preventing thiamine deficiency is simple: eat a well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Good sources of thiamine include beef liver, cooked black beans, cooked lentils, raw macadamia nuts, cooked pork loin, asparagus and fortified breakfast cereal. The thiamine content of these foods falls after cooking or processing. Anyone who regularly drinks substantial amounts of alcohol should be checked routinely for vitamin B1 deficiency.
A long-standing IV treatment known as the "banana bag" is used for vitamin and electrolyte deficiencies and has proven especially useful in people with chronic thiamine deficiency. It contains thiamine, magnesium, folic acid and a multivitamin formulation in normal saline or dextrose solution.
Diabetic neuropathy and vitamin B12
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by excess blood sugar, inflammation and the blocked small blood vessels associated with diabetes. Left unchecked, it can cause pain and tingling in the hands and feet, digestive difficulties and sexual problems. Advanced neuropathy in the feet can lead to amputation of a toe, foot or lower leg.
Various nutrients play a role in protecting, repairing and maintaining the tissues affected by diabetic neuropathy, so researchers are interested in nutritional supplements to help prevent and manage it. Research in this field is still relatively new and clinical studies have given mixed results, but some vitamins have shown limited benefit.
Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in some foods. It helps with proper nerve function and red blood cell production. Older adults, with or without diabetes, and particularly those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, have a higher risk of B12 deficiency, which may cause neuropathy and other neurological problems. Certain drugs can also lead to B12 deficiency, including:
metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage and others), a diabetes drug
stomach acid-reducing proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec and others)
stomach acid-reducing histamine (H-2) receptor antagonists (Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac and others)
A healthy diet remains essential. Eating well is widely recognized as a key part of managing blood sugar and diabetes complications such as neuropathy, and tight blood sugar control may help slow nerve damage. Aim for an eating plan that is naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories, focusing on vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains; fat-free and low-fat dairy products; and lean meat, fish, and poultry without the skin.
Physical activity matters too. Exercise is essential to managing blood sugar well. Check with your doctor before starting a new activity, especially if you take medicines that lower blood sugar. People with diabetes should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on most days of the week, drink water before, during and after activity to prevent dehydration, and wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the drip take?
About 1 hour.
Does Myers' Cocktail contain calcium?
No. Our Myers' Cocktail contains B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium in saline. It does not contain calcium.
Can it help with a hangover?
Some people use Myers' Cocktail for hangover relief, as it quickly replaces the nutrients and fluid lost during heavy drinking.
Is it safe?
Nutrients given intravenously are better tolerated than high doses taken by mouth. Placing the drip feels much like having blood drawn for a lab test. Your medical history is reviewed before treatment, and the drip is given by trained healthcare professionals.
Can I mix and match drip formulas?
Yes. Several formulas can be given at the same visit. Tell us which formulas you would like; if they are compatible, we combine them in a single bottle. If they cannot be mixed, we give them one after another, changing the bottle when the first is finished. Your safety and the effectiveness of the treatment are our top priorities.
Do I need to eat before my drip?
Yes. Please eat before your drip and don't come on an empty stomach. Some vitamins and minerals can cause nausea on an empty stomach, and a light meal or snack helps your body absorb the drip.
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