Vitamin C IV Therapy

Vitamin C, also called L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate, is an essential water-soluble nutrient. Your body cannot make it on its own, so it must come from food or supplements. It’s naturally found in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, kiwi, capsicum, and broccoli.

Vitamin C has several important roles. It helps your body produce collagen, which supports skin, cartilage, and blood vessels. It also works as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also improves the absorption of iron from plant foods.

If your body doesn’t get enough, a deficiency can occur, which may lead to fatigue, gum irritation, and slower wound healing. Regular intake through food, supplements, or infusions helps maintain healthy levels.

There are a few ways to get vitamin C. The most common is through food, such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens. Supplements like tablets, powders, or capsules are also widely available.

Vitamin C can also be given through intravenous infusion. This method delivers the nutrient directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion.

All methods provide the same essential nutrient, but the amount absorbed and how long it lasts in your system can differ.

Oral supplements and IV infusions both give you vitamin C, but the way your body absorbs them is different. With oral intake, the digestive system may limit how much can get into your blood at one time.

With IV therapy, the vitamin goes straight into your bloodstream, so much higher blood levels may be reached and maintained for longer.

Vitamin C IV therapy provides vitamin C directly into your bloodstream using a drip. This may support general wellness by helping you maintain healthy levels of this essential nutrient.

Because IV vitamin C bypasses the digestive system, higher blood levels can be reached compared to oral intake. People choose IV therapy for different reasons, such as hydration, energy, or to support their lifestyle. Everyone’s experience can be different.

During the infusion itself, vitamin C is given slowly over 30 to 45 minutes. Once it’s in your bloodstream, levels stay elevated for several hours and often remain higher than normal for up to 24 hours.

How long vitamin C lasts depends on the individual, since metabolism and overall health can affect how quickly it’s used or excreted. While the immediate session is short, the nutrient continues working in your system afterwards.

The cost of a vitamin C infusion varies by clinic, dose, and solution type. In Melbourne, prices usually range between $150 and $250 per session.

At Fresh Treatments, vitamin C IV infusions are priced at $180. The treatment includes a consultation and is administered in a clinical setting by registered nurses. Package deals are also available if you plan to book multiple sessions.

Medicare does not cover IV vitamin C therapy, and private health insurance rebates are not available for it either. This means the cost is paid directly by the client.

Since it’s considered a complementary option, it falls outside of standard medical coverage. If you are planning regular sessions, it’s worth factoring the cost into your wellness routine.

The process is usually simple and comfortable. A nurse inserts a small needle into your vein, which may feel like a quick pinch. As the solution enters, some people notice a cool sensation, but most feel very little.

The infusion takes around 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, you can read, listen to music, or relax. After the drip is finished, you might have a small mark where the needle was placed, but this fades quickly. Most people return to their normal day straight after.

IV vitamin C therapy is generally safe when supervised by trained staff, but like any procedure, it carries some risks. Minor side effects may include slight bruising, irritation at the needle site, or feeling lightheaded during or after the infusion.

Certain people should avoid high-dose vitamin C infusions. These include anyone with kidney disease, a history of kidney stones, or kidney failure, as high doses may increase complications. People with G6PD deficiency should also not receive high doses due to possible red blood cell issues.

That’s why we carry out complimentary consultations before starting treatment to make sure it’s safe for you.

Safety is prioritised through several steps. Before treatment, you’ll have a consultation to review your health history, medications, and any risk factors. If higher doses are planned, you may need a G6PD and kidney function test.

During the infusion, a nurse monitors you as the vitamin C solution is delivered slowly over 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll be checked on throughout to make sure you feel well.

These steps, combined with strict medical standards, help keep IV vitamin C infusions safe and comfortable.

G6PD stands for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that helps red blood cells function properly. Some people are born with G6PD deficiency, a genetic condition that makes red blood cells more fragile.

If someone with G6PD deficiency is given high doses of vitamin C, it can cause the red blood cells to break down more easily, which can be harmful.

This is why many clinics require a G6PD test before giving higher-dose infusions. It’s a simple safety step that ensures the therapy is suitable for you.

Vitamin C is called an antioxidant because it helps protect the body against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can build up from normal processes in the body, as well as from outside factors like pollution, stress, and smoking.

If too many free radicals build up, they can lead to oxidative stress, which may affect your cells. Vitamin C helps neutralise these molecules and reduce their impact.

It also supports enzymes that produce collagen and helps the body absorb iron, making it a vital nutrient for overall health.

Severe deficiency is rare in countries like Australia, but mild deficiency can still happen. People who don’t eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables, smokers, or those with digestive problems may be more at risk.

Low vitamin C levels can cause tiredness, gum issues, slow wound healing, and easy bruising. Severe deficiency, known as scurvy, was more common in the past but is rare today.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reviews evidence, including data from clinical trials, when assessing safety and quality standards for therapeutic products. This process helps ensure that vitamin C solutions used in IV therapy meet strict guidelines.

The vitamin C used in clinics must meet strict requirements before being administered. The TGA also does not allow unproven claims about treating or curing diseases. Instead, vitamin C is recognised as an essential nutrient that supports general health and wellbeing.