Our injectable solutions are provided from a triple-certified compounding pharmacy, including certification from PCAB. The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) is a nonprofit organization that provides a voluntary accreditation program for compounding pharmacies nationwide. Formed by eight of the nation’s leading pharmacy organizations, PCAB promotes, develops and maintains principles, policies and standards for improving the quality of pharmacy compounding nationwide.

Many people have trouble with nutrient absorption due to the presence of intestinal inflammation, first pass absorption, poor gut health, or deficiency of Intrinsic Factor – a glycoprotein produced in the stomach that is essential for B-12 absorption, whether from an oral supplement or food providing B-12. Injecting nutrients intramuscularly or by IV sidesteps this issue by delivering nutrients directly to the cells, feeding your body instantaneously for immediate utilization.

Vitamin B-12 is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. It is an important co-factor in many physiologic biochemical pathways in our body and helps provide our cells with energy. Because it’s so important for health, it’s the foundation of most of the signature injections offered at IV Therapy Houston.

Our shots are intramuscular shots, so it can be injected into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm if the shot you’re getting has a small amount of fluid (such as a straight B-12 shot). More commonly, it will be administered in the upper region of the gluteal muscle.

The most common location for our IV’s is your cephalic vein, which runs from your bicep to wrist.

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different. However, our staff is very proficient and certified in IV’s; the shot usually causes little to no pain. It has a lot to do with how relaxed you are during the injection, if you have just exercised, and how hydrated you are (as well as the awesome technique, of course)! We will instruct you on how to stand and breathe for relaxation for the most comfortable experience. Being well-hydrated (and nourished) is beneficial.

Everyone is different. If you are taking a medication or supplement that thins the blood, including aspirin and high-dose fish oil, your risk of bruising from is increased. Other reasons for bruising include, but are not limited to, aging/thinning skin, vasculitis, purpuric dermatosis, platelet deficiency, liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, and vitamin C deficiency.

No stimulants are in our shots or IV’s, but it’s generally best to experience a vitamin B-containing shot prior to 5:00 PM or so. Getting a shot that contains vitamins too late in the day may promote insomnia that night and possibly even vivid dreams. However, B-12 & other vitamins, while providing cellular energy by day, is known to help promote deeper, healthier sleep when it comes to bedtime.

You get to call your own shots! You decide, with the guidance of our experts at IV Therapy Houston, what shot or IV you need. Maybe you need a little more energy. Maybe you’re getting ready to work out and want to increase your endurance.  Maybe you need to recover from a night of indulgence.  Maybe you’re feeling under the weather and need to boost your immune system. Maybe you have tendonitis and need some pain relief. If you can’t decide on a shot or IV or there’s more than one you’d like, we can formulate a custom IV or shot specifically for you based on your presenting symptoms and goals.

Side effects are generally non-existent or very mild. On occasion, you may experience some discomfort, bruising, redness, itching, inflammation, muscle hypertonicity, or redness at or around the site of injection that could last from a few minutes to several days. Less frequent side effects may include lightheadedness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, warmth or flushing. True allergic reaction extremely rare. However, if you experience throat swelling, pruritic body rash, dangerously low blood pressure, or symptoms associated with anaphylaxis following administration of an injection, visit your nearest emergency department or urgent care facility without hesitation. If you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients — please avoid it!

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has not established a UL (Upper Limit) for vitamin B-12 because of its low potential for toxicity. In Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline, the IOM states that “no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B-12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals.” [2] Most B vitamins have no known upper limit for intake with little to no possibility of toxicity. The exceptions are B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and folic acid (also known as folate or B9). These three B vitamins are generally considered safe even when double the recommended dose is taken. However, there are some vitamin-drug and vitamin-disease interactions that should be avoided. Please consult your physician before beginning injection therapy at IV Therapy Houston; if you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or currently have a disease condition or are taking medications to be sure there aren’t any contraindications or interactions. If you’ve received more B-12 than your body needs at the time, your urine may have a pinkish tint to it. Not to worry, it’s just your body flushing out what is not needed. Or maybe you’ve just eaten some beets!

Sterile homeopathic biological medications for injection are the basis of many of the specialty IV’s & shots at IV Therapy Houston. There are many different compounded formulas with different goals, but in general they are utilized to encourage or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Sterile homeopathic solutions for injection are classified as immunomodulatory drugs. Homeopathic biological therapy is natural and non-toxic, having no or extremely rare side effects, no drug interactions, and is compatible with subsequent allopathic (conventional) drug use. Many people have benefited from injectable homeopathic biological therapy. It helps shorten the duration and greatly reduce symptoms of acute conditions including, but not limited to, upper respiratory infection and influenza-type illnesses, as well as manage pain and chronic illness, oftentimes where allopathic medications have not offered relief.

It can definitely happen, but not necessarily every time you get an IV or shot. Some people experience the taste on occasion, others never do. If it happens, it’s usually evident within minutes of getting an IV or shot. It’s definitely nothing to worry about … it’s just an indication of how quickly it gets absorbed and transported through the body. Pretty incredible!