When Hill Country Apothecary owner Adam Metcalf and Director of Operations Shannon Haas learned about the growing intravenous, or IV, vitamin therapy trend and the health benefits involved, they said they knew it was something to incorporate into their business. Now, Lakeway’s Drip Drop IV is one of numerous IV bars and clinics in the Austin area.
What is IV vitamin therapy?
IV vitamin therapy administers vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream for wellness benefits, such as improved immune health, stress relief, better sleep, increased energy and replenishing nutrient deficiencies in the body, said Haas, who serves as Drip Drop IV’s nutritionist.
“IV therapy is quickly absorbed into the blood, which makes the vitamins immediately available to the cells, tissues and organs,” she said. “For people with compromised digestive health, stress—which can prevent your body from absorbing nutrients—or who may not be living the healthiest of lifestyles, the treatment gets high-quality nutrients right into their body.”
Brandon Colvin, manager at Restore Cryotherapy in the Hill Country Galleria, said IV therapies are preventive measures for illness and a healthy alternative to common medications.
“Many people, before they travel, will get our immunity IV, which helps prevent anything they might catch on the plane," he said. "At the same time, people will come in after seeing the first signs of being sick to prevent [the illness] from getting worse.”
Colvin said another portion of clients are athletes looking to recover after a workout. Certain IV mixes can also alleviate hangovers, he said.
What does the process involve?
Drip Drop IV and Restore Cryotherapy clients first meet with certified medical professionals at the offices to determine which IV cocktail would best serve the client’s needs.
“Everything is customizable and tailored to that unique customer,” Haas said. “Our nurses will make the mix for the IV bag in our lab.”
Nurses then administer the IV using the same techniques that doctors would use in a hospital.
First-time visits to Drip Drop IV typically take an hour, with 30 minutes reserved for the IV therapy itself, Haas said.
Mobile services
Colvin said his business’s nurse concierge service, in which registered nurses travel to a private residence or event to administer IVs, is becoming an increasingly popular option.
“When there’s a triathlon in town, our nurses go to a location with about 60 people who are getting treated to recover and relax,” he said. “We go to you with everything we need.”
Haas said Drip Drop IV’s mobile van can serve up to seven people at once and is dispatched to homes by appointment. The van has also been present at South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals as well as SpringFest, she said.
Rolling RevIVal Bus, a mobile service of licensed medical professionals based in downtown Austin, drives to clients who are looking for a cure to a hangover after a night of partying, co-owner Michelle Eades said.
“Our treatment is almost strictly a hangover cure,” she said. “We do not follow groups around or [offer preventive services]; it’s all after-the-fact. Most [calls] are for parties or tourists from out of town that don’t want a hangover to ruin their weekend.”
- Drip Drop IV
1310 S. RR 620, Ste. A-01 1/2, Lakeway
512-953-1229
www.dripdropiv.com
Hours: Mon.-Tue., Thu.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Wed.; mobile hours by appointment
Prices start at $130
The service offers customizable IV treatments as well as a mobile unit that can be booked in advance.
2. Hippo Hydrate
1611 W. Fifth St., Austin
512-391-9400
www.hippohydrate.com
Hours: daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Prices start at $189
The service accepts walk-ins at its downtown Austin location inside Downtown Doctor as well as concierge house calls by appointment.
Hydrelief
512-640-3888
www.hydrelief.com
Hours: Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., closed Mon.-Fri. • Prices start at $125
The appointment-based mobile concierge service is open on weekends only.
3. IVitamin Therapy
515 S. Congress Ave., Austin
512-275-6448
www.ivitamintherapy.com
Hours: Fri.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed.-Thu. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., closed Tue.
Prices start at $159
The office offers a variety of IV mixes and booster shots that can relieve dehydration and boost a patient’s immune system and metabolism.
4. Restore Cryotherapy
4005 Market St., Bee Cave
512-494-6950
http://beecave.restorecryotherapy.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m.
Prices start at $25
The cryotherapy clinic offers custom IV treatments as well as mobile services.
Rolling RevIVal Bus
512-820-1259
www.rollingrevivalbus.com
Prices start at $119
With a focus on hangover cures, parties of at least four individuals can reserve the bus on weekdays. The bus serves individuals and parties on weekends.
