IV Drips in Surbiton: Hangover, Energy, Skin & Athlete Programmes

Understanding IV Therapy: How It Works

Intravenous administration delivers fluids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into your venous circulation. This achieves much higher blood concentrations than oral supplementation, as the digestive system is bypassed entirely. For certain nutrients and clinical situations, this can provide advantages that oral administration cannot match.

IV Therapy vs Oral Supplementation

Oral supplements undergo significant first-pass metabolism and absorption limitations:

• Digestive enzymes and stomach acid degrade some nutrients before absorption
• Intestinal absorption is limited for many vitamins and minerals (particularly B12, magnesium, vitamin C)
• First-pass liver metabolism reduces bioavailability further
• High doses of oral supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhoea)
• Variable absorption depending on gut health, recent food intake, and individual factors

IV administration achieves 100% bioavailability, delivering nutrients directly to cells throughout your body within minutes. This allows therapeutic concentrations that oral routes cannot achieve, making IV therapy potentially valuable for specific clinical situations.

What IV Therapy Can and Cannot Do

Lambert Medical Practice maintains evidence-based, realistic expectations about IV therapy. It is not a cure-all or replacement for healthy lifestyle, it cannot treat serious medical conditions without conventional medical management, it does not produce permanent changes without addressing underlying causes, and results vary significantly between individuals based on baseline health status.

However, for appropriate indications, IV therapy can provide rapid rehydration in dehydration states, deliver therapeutic nutrient doses for deficiencies, support recovery from intense physical exertion, and provide symptomatic relief for certain acute conditions like hangovers.

We never exaggerate benefits or make unfounded claims about disease treatment, anti-ageing miracles, or detoxification. Our approach is conservative, medically supervised, and integrated with evidence-based healthcare.

Clinical Screening and Safety Protocols

All IV therapy at Lambert Medical Practice begins with appropriate medical screening. We do not offer IV treatments without clinical assessment.

Pre-Treatment Assessment

Before your first IV therapy session, a qualified clinician conducts:

Medical History Review: Current health conditions, particularly cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease, current medications and potential interactions, allergy history (particularly to vitamins, minerals, or additives), previous IV therapy experiences and any complications, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status (generally contraindications).

Clinical Examination: Blood pressure measurement, assessment of hydration status, venous access evaluation (some people have difficult veins), and relevant system examination based on indication.

Blood Tests When Appropriate: For regular IV therapy users, we may recommend baseline blood tests to assess kidney function, electrolytes, and existing nutrient levels. This ensures treatments are tailored appropriately and detects contraindications. Integration with our AI-enhanced blood testing service provides comprehensive profiling.

Who Should Not Have IV Therapy?

Contraindications include:

• Severe heart failure or significant cardiac disease (fluid overload risk)
• Advanced kidney disease (inability to excrete excess nutrients and fluids)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (safety not established for many formulations)
• Severe allergies to infusion components
• Acute infections requiring medical treatment
• Certain medications that interact with high-dose vitamins

Relative contraindications that require careful assessment include mild to moderate kidney disease, poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes (glucose-containing infusions), and previous adverse reactions to IV treatments.

Administration and Monitoring

All IV therapy is administered by clinicians trained in IV access and infusion management. The process involves sterile cannula insertion (typically in arm or hand), slow infusion over 30-60 minutes depending on formulation, continuous patient observation throughout, blood pressure monitoring during infusion, and immediate availability of resuscitation equipment and emergency medications (though serious reactions are extremely rare).

You remain in our clinical environment throughout treatment. We never allow patients to leave with IV lines in situ or provide "drip bars" without medical supervision.

Hangover Recovery IV Therapy

Alcohol excess causes dehydration, electrolyte depletion, inflammatory responses, and vitamin depletion—all contributing to hangover symptoms. IV therapy can address several of these mechanisms simultaneously.

What Causes Hangover Symptoms?

Understanding hangover physiology explains why IV therapy may help:

Dehydration: Alcohol inhibits antidiuretic hormone, causing increased urination and fluid loss. Dehydration contributes to headache, fatigue, and dizziness.

Electrolyte Imbalance: Fluid loss depletes sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This affects muscle function, nerve transmission, and energy metabolism.

Inflammation: Alcohol metabolism produces acetaldehyde and other inflammatory compounds triggering immune responses that contribute to malaise.

Vitamin Depletion: Alcohol metabolism consumes B vitamins, whilst impaired gut function reduces absorption from food.

Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Alcohol interferes with glucose regulation, causing energy crashes.

Hangover IV Formulation

Our hangover recovery infusion typically contains:

Intravenous Fluids: 500ml-1000ml sterile saline or Hartmann's solution for rapid rehydration. Restores circulating volume and improves tissue perfusion.

B Vitamins Complex: B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin). These support energy metabolism and nervous system function.

Vitamin C: High-dose ascorbic acid (often 1-2g) supports immune function and acts as antioxidant to reduce inflammatory damage.

Magnesium: Replaces depleted magnesium, helping muscle relaxation and reducing headache intensity.

Anti-emetics (if needed): Ondansetron or similar medication can be added for severe nausea.

Paracetamol or NSAIDs: Administered IV for rapid headache relief if appropriate.

Expected Effects and Timeframe

Most patients report feeling significantly better within 30-60 minutes of completing the infusion. Hydration and electrolyte replacement provide rapid symptomatic relief, headache often improves within 30 minutes, nausea typically resolves quickly, and energy levels begin recovering.

However, complete hangover resolution requires time for alcohol metabolism to complete and inflammatory processes to resolve. IV therapy accelerates recovery but doesn't eliminate hangovers instantly.

Important Caveats

Hangover IV therapy is not a licence for excessive drinking without consequences, does not prevent alcohol-related health harms with regular heavy consumption, does not remove alcohol from your system (you must still not drive or operate machinery until fully sober), and should not be a regular requirement (frequent use suggests problematic alcohol consumption requiring different support).

For patients with concerning alcohol use patterns, we offer referral to appropriate support services alongside any acute hangover treatment.

Energy and Fatigue Support IV Therapy

Persistent fatigue is a common complaint with multiple potential causes. IV therapy may provide benefit for certain types of fatigue, particularly those related to micronutrient deficiencies or dehydration. However, we always investigate underlying causes rather than simply treating symptoms.

Assessing Fatigue Before IV Therapy

At Lambert Medical Practice, we don't offer IV therapy for fatigue without clinical evaluation. We first assess:

• Anaemia (iron, B12, or folate deficiency)
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Diabetes
• Sleep disorders including sleep apnoea
• Depression and anxiety
• Chronic fatigue syndrome or post-viral syndromes
• Medication side effects
• Nutritional inadequacy
• Chronic infections

If a treatable cause is identified, we address that directly. IV therapy may complement treatment but never replaces investigation and management of underlying conditions. Integration with comprehensive GP assessment and blood testing ensures appropriate evaluation.

Energy Support IV Formulation

Our energy support infusion typically includes:

Fluids for Hydration: Even mild dehydration impairs energy and cognitive function.

B Vitamins: Essential for cellular energy production (ATP synthesis). Particularly important if dietary intake is inadequate or absorption impaired.

Vitamin C: Supports adrenal function and mitochondrial energy production.

Magnesium: Cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions including energy metabolism. Deficiency causes fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance.

Amino Acids (optional): Glutamine, taurine, or carnitine may support cellular energy pathways, though evidence is mixed.

Who Benefits Most?

IV energy therapy is most likely to help if you have documented nutrient deficiencies not adequately corrected by oral supplements, recovery from acute illness depleting reserves, intense physical or mental demands exceeding nutritional intake, or malabsorption conditions affecting oral nutrient uptake.

Benefits are less likely if fatigue is primarily due to sleep deprivation, psychological factors, or chronic disease requiring specific medical treatment. Realistic expectations are essential.

For comprehensive fatigue management, consider our NAD⁺ therapy service or hormonal assessment if endocrine factors may be contributing.

Skin and Hair Glow IV Therapy

IV therapy for skin and hair health focuses on delivering nutrients that support collagen production, antioxidant defence, and cellular regeneration. Whilst evidence for dramatic cosmetic effects is limited, some formulations may support skin health when combined with appropriate skincare and lifestyle.

Skin and Hair IV Formulation

Our aesthetic-focused infusion typically includes:

Vitamin C (High Dose): Essential for collagen synthesis. High IV doses (1-5g) achieve blood levels impossible orally. Acts as powerful antioxidant protecting against UV damage and oxidative stress.

Biotin (Vitamin B7): Supports keratin structure in hair, skin, and nails. Deficiency causes hair thinning and skin problems, though supplementation only helps if deficient.

Glutathione: Master antioxidant protecting cells from damage. Some evidence suggests skin-brightening effects, though results are variable and temporary.

B Vitamins Complex: Support cell turnover and healthy skin metabolism.

Zinc: Important for wound healing, immune function, and skin integrity. Deficiency causes skin problems and hair loss.

Amino Acids: Building blocks for collagen and keratin synthesis.

Realistic Expectations

IV therapy is not a replacement for good skincare, sun protection, adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, and healthy lifestyle. It does not reverse significant photo-ageing or deep wrinkles, cannot treat active skin diseases (which require dermatological management), and results are subtle and temporary without ongoing treatments.

Some patients report improved skin radiance, better hydration, and stronger nails and hair with regular treatments. Effects are most noticeable in those with underlying nutrient inadequacies. For best results, IV therapy should complement (not replace) topical skincare, sun protection, adequate sleep, stress management, and balanced diet rich in antioxidants and protein.

Treatment Frequency

For aesthetic goals, we typically recommend initial course of 4-6 treatments at weekly or fortnightly intervals, followed by monthly maintenance treatments if benefits are observed. Continuous indefinite treatment is not necessary or recommended.

Athlete Performance and Recovery Programmes

For competitive athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts, IV therapy can support training demands, enhance recovery, and optimise performance when used strategically. Lambert Medical Practice offers structured programmes integrated with sports medicine principles.

IV Therapy in Athletic Context

Athletes have increased nutrient demands and losses through sweat, intense metabolism, and tissue breakdown during training. IV therapy may benefit athletes by rapidly replacing fluid and electrolytes after intense training or competition, delivering nutrients supporting muscle recovery and protein synthesis, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress from hard training, supporting immune function during heavy training periods, and correcting deficiencies more rapidly than oral supplementation.

Athlete IV Formulations

Pre-Event Optimisation: Delivered 24-48 hours before competition. Focuses on hydration optimisation, electrolyte balance, B vitamins for energy metabolism, and magnesium for muscle function.

Recovery Infusion: Administered within hours of completion. Includes rehydration fluids, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium), amino acids (particularly branched-chain amino acids), vitamin C for inflammation reduction, and B vitamins for metabolic recovery.

Training Support: During heavy training blocks. Provides vitamin and mineral repletion, immune support nutrients, anti-inflammatory compounds, and hydration maintenance.

Structured Athlete Programmes

We offer periodised IV therapy programmes aligned with training phases:

Off-Season: Baseline assessment with blood testing to identify deficiencies. Address any nutritional gaps with oral supplementation primarily. Establish baseline health markers.

Pre-Season: Optimisation phase with fortnightly IV treatments if indicated. Focus on building nutrient reserves before training intensity increases.

In-Season: Strategic pre-event and post-event treatments around key competitions. Weekly or fortnightly support during particularly intense periods. Immune support when training load is high and illness risk elevated.

Recovery Phase: Post-injury or post-competition support. Targeted treatments to enhance tissue repair and reduce recovery time.

Integration with Sports Nutrition and Training

IV therapy never replaces proper sports nutrition and training periodisation. We work alongside athletes' existing support teams (coaches, nutritionists, physiotherapists) rather than operating in isolation. Our approach includes baseline blood testing to identify actual deficiencies (via comprehensive panels), dietary optimisation as primary strategy, oral supplementation for daily maintenance, IV therapy for strategic situations where rapid delivery is advantageous, and regular monitoring of blood markers and performance outcomes.

Anti-Doping Compliance

All IV therapy formulations at Lambert Medical Practice comply with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) regulations. We use only permitted substances at legal doses, provide documentation for therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) if needed, never exceed 100ml infusion volume per 12-hour period for athletes subject to WADA rules (above this requires TUE), and maintain detailed records for anti-doping testing purposes.

Athletes subject to drug testing should inform us before treatment, and we'll ensure full compliance with relevant regulations.

Side Effects, Risks, and Aftercare

Whilst IV therapy is generally well-tolerated, all medical procedures carry potential risks.

Common Minor Side Effects

• Bruising or discomfort at cannula insertion site (common and self-resolving)
• Metallic taste during infusion (normal, due to B vitamins)
• Feeling of warmth or flushing (particularly with B vitamins or magnesium)
• Nausea if infusion runs too quickly (resolved by slowing rate)
• Headache (usually due to pre-existing dehydration being corrected rapidly)

Rare but Serious Risks

• Allergic reactions (ranging from mild rash to severe anaphylaxis—extremely rare)
• Infection at cannula site or systemic infection (minimised by sterile technique)
• Fluid overload in susceptible individuals (careful assessment and monitoring prevents this)
• Electrolyte disturbances if inappropriately dosed
• Nerve or vessel damage from cannula insertion (very rare with experienced clinicians)

Our clinical team is trained in recognition and management of complications, with emergency equipment readily available.

Aftercare Guidance

After your IV therapy session:

• Drink additional water over the next 24 hours to support kidney elimination of excess nutrients
• Avoid strenuous activity for a few hours (particularly athletes after recovery infusions)
• Keep cannula site clean and dry; apply pressure if bruising develops
• Contact us if you develop fever, increasing pain/redness at cannula site, or allergic symptoms
• Urine may be bright yellow/orange due to B vitamins (normal and harmless)

Frequency and Long-Term Use Considerations

IV therapy should be used strategically, not as a perpetual crutch. We recommend:

For Hangover Recovery: Occasional use only. Frequent requirement suggests problematic alcohol consumption requiring different intervention.

For Energy Support: Initial course of 4-6 treatments to assess benefit. If helpful, monthly or less frequent maintenance. Ongoing need suggests underlying issues requiring investigation.

For Aesthetic Goals: Initial course followed by maintenance every 4-6 weeks if desired. Continuous use not required.

For Athletic Performance: Periodised approach aligned with training cycles as described above. Year-round weekly treatments are unnecessary.

Regular blood monitoring ensures treatments remain appropriate and that no adverse effects on kidney function or electrolyte balance develop.

Booking IV Therapy in Surbiton

To access IV therapy at Lambert Medical Practice, you'll need initial consultation to assess suitability and discuss goals (can be same-day for hangover recovery), blood pressure check and clinical screening, IV therapy session (allow 60-90 minutes total), and post-treatment observation before leaving.

Located in Surbiton with convenient access from Kingston upon Thames and South-West London, we offer flexible appointment times including weekends for athlete programmes. All costs are transparently displayed in our booking system.

For patients seeking comprehensive health optimisation, IV therapy integrates well with hormonal health services, NAD⁺ therapy, and structured wellness programmes.