- Who should not have one
- We don't give a drip to anyone with heart failure, severe kidney disease, a severe clotting problem, an infection where the needle would go, or an allergy to anything in the drip. Drips that contain vitamin C, about half of our menu, are also not for people with a tendency to kidney stones, haemochromatosis (too much stored iron), G6PD deficiency, or a history of kidney disease, in whom kidney failure has been reported. G6PD deficiency is inherited, it lets red blood cells break down, and many people who have it do not know. If you have never been tested, ask at your consultation whether you should be. In pregnancy or while breastfeeding, any drip needs a clear medical reason, so tell us first. We have no published safety guidance for vitamin, glutathione or NAD⁺ drips in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Iron: who must wait
- Iron by drip is not used in the first three months of pregnancy, and later in pregnancy only if clearly necessary. The iron in One & Done, ferric carboxymaltose, may harm an unborn baby. Neither of our two iron medicines is for anyone allergic to it, or with a serious allergy to another injected iron. The risk of a reaction is higher with allergies (including to medicines), severe asthma, eczema, or an immune or inflammatory condition. Tell us about any of these, and about low vitamin D, inflammatory bowel disease, high blood pressure, parathyroid disease, a planned pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Iron: the serious risks
- Rarely, iron by drip causes a severe allergic reaction, which can be life-threatening or fatal. It can happen even when an earlier dose went well. Iron should only be given where staff trained to treat such a reaction, and resuscitation facilities, are on hand. Ferric carboxymaltose is commonly followed by low phosphate in the blood. Low phosphate that is severe or lasts can soften bones and lead to fractures, so phosphate should be checked before a repeat dose. Ferric carboxymaltose can also leave a brown stain on the skin where it was given, and the stain may be long-lasting.
- Side effects of any drip
- A bruise, an irritated vein, and soreness or burning at the needle site. Fluid can leak into the tissue round the vein and harm it. The vein can swell, which can lead to a clot. Infection, an allergic reaction, too much fluid in the body and an air bubble in the vein can also happen.
- How often
- At Oshun, vitamin drips are not usually given more often than once a week without a medical reason. The NHS warns about supplements: too much vitamin B6 can cause loss of feeling in the arms and legs, and too much vitamin D over a long period can damage the kidneys and the heart.
- Glutathione and NAD⁺
- The US Food and Drug Administration has described patients who fell ill within minutes of glutathione injections mixed from an ingredient that was not made for injection, and has received reports of severe chills, shaking, vomiting and fatigue after NAD⁺ injections, some needing medical treatment.
