For over 50 years nutritionally oriented physicians have been prescribing Myers’ cocktail IV treatments for their patients. This treatment is named for John Myers, a Maryland doctor who began using his IV nutrient formula in the early 1960s. The “Myers’ Cocktail” became an increasingly popular intravenous therapy over the years, with modified versions of his original formula being delivered by experienced doctors reaching many thousands of patients over the years.
Dr. Myers, first introduced treatment his vitamin/ mineral IV formula to help his patients who suffered from a variety of ailments including chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, migraines, allergies, chronic sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, muscle spasms, and other maladies.
Why have an IV rather than take oral supplements?
Vitamins taken by mouth may not be fully absorbed by the digestive tract. Particularly those with any gastrointestinal challenges do not absorb the amounts printed on the vitamin label. And they may get GI upset not allowing them to take adequate amounts. With an intravenous treatment the vitamins are delivered directly into the circulation bypassing the GI tract
and delivering a side effects free enhancement of vital nutrients into the circulation for their full effects.
What are the ingredients of a Myers’ Cocktail Intravenous treatment ?
The standard Myers’ cocktail includes:
- Vitamin C
- B complex combination- includes B1-thiamine , B2-riboflavin
- B3-niacin, B5-dexpanthenol, and B6-pridoxine
- B12- methylcobalamin
- Folic acid
- Calcium gluconate
- Magnesium: this has been found to reduce fatigue, migraines, muscle spasms, reduce elevated blood pressure ,and may help those at risk of cardiovascular disease
- Zinc: has an anti-viral effect and helps the immune system. A knowledgeable practitioner administering Myer’s Cocktail infusions to patients will individualize the formula as per the patients’ needs and also use other IV substances in some cases.
Ad-Ons
Glutathione-Used for additional support of the liver and its detoxifying functions. It is immune supportive and also supports nervous system functions. Given properly by an experienced physician it is given separately from the contents of the Myer’s cocktail IV bag, infused at the end of the delivery of the Myer’s cocktail formula as a quick additional continuance of the infusion taking a few extra minutes.
Extra Vitamin C
Many receive an IV with higher amount of Vit C than the traditional Myer’s Cocktail dictates, in which case a larger fluid bag is used. This ads further immune supportive benefits and the healing effects of Vitamin C. This is called a High Dose” Vitamin C. It has along history of use for cancer patients and others needing healing body tissues as well as the effectiveness for the
immune system. The High Dose Vitamin C IV does require a somewhat longer time to infuse the patient’s intravenous solution. A greater amount of some of the other nutrients may also be added to this IV.
Who Needs a Myers’ Cocktail IV
This nutrient infusion has been used for to help a wide variety of conditions.
The Myers’ cocktail has been found to benefit those who:
- Complain of low energy
- Suffer from chronic fatigue
- Wish to enhance athletic performance
- Require intravenous hydration
- Want relief from hangover or withdrawal symptoms
- Suffer from anxiety or depression
- Anyone who want the health promoting and anti-aging effects of
nutrient enhancements.
According to Myers’ cocktail studies and reviews, since the cocktails are made of vitamins and minerals, they tend to be well tolerated by the vast majority of patients. Since treatment is administered intravenously vs. passing through the digestive system, higher concentrations of the vitamins are easily absorbed and thus bioavailable to the body.
Health Benefits of the Myers’ Cocktail formula
One of the important components of the IV is the mineral magnesium. Magnesium has been dubbed “the magic mineral” as it is essential in over 300 different biochemical pathways in the body.
Magnesium has been found to prevent or reduce asthma attacks, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular diseases, fibromyalgia, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infections, migraines, and more. Magnesium with vitamin B may increase the efficacy when paired together for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.3
Those who suffer from acute muscle spasms, poor sleep at night, or high levels of stress, may have a magnesium deficiency and may benefit from receiving intravenous treatment to bring their magnesium levels to an optimum state.
How to Administer a Myers’ Cocktail IV
Depending on the infusion rate and total bag volume, the treatment usually takes between 30-60 minutes and is generally side effect free. The IV administration is performed by seating the patient, placing a tourniquet on their upper arm, and disinfecting the entry point. Then, a small butterfly catheter needle is inserted into the vein. The needle is held in place with a piece of medical tape and the IV bag is connected.
These IVs tend to drip for 30-60 minutes before the bag is depleted. It is recommended that IVs are set to drip slower for first-time users to minimize negative possible side effects, such as dizziness, discomfort, or nausea.
How Often are Treatments Administered?
The healthcare practitioner should individualize the schedule, deciding how often and how many infusions will be most beneficial for their patient. The schedule varies greatly from one single IV that might help alleviate a migraine headache, to once or twice per week over many weeks. Some patients will continue with occasional treatments to enhance lagging energy and to support the immune system.
Individuals suffering from a variety of illnesses will make a transition to High Dose Vitamin C infusions to take advantage of the unique benefit the greater amount of the Vitamin C which is given with a larger IV fluid bag and more hydration, and possible a greater amount of some of the other infused nutrients as well. It is given over a longer period of time than the standard Myer’s cocktail infusion.
Safety Information and Possible Side Effects
A Myers’ cocktail may have relatively mild side effects. These typically are
the same as with any IV:
- Discomfort at infusion site
- Lightheadedness
- An infrequent effect from intravenous doses of magnesium is a “warm” sensation.
If the patient experiences these symptoms, the practitioner simply slows or stops the infusion for a very brief time -less than 60 seconds as the symptom dissipates.