IV Hydration Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Work?
IV Hydration Therapy is a medical procedure in which an intravenous (IV) infusion is used to administer fluids directly into your bloodstream. By avoiding the digestive tract, this technique facilitates the quick and effective absorption of vital nutrients, electrolytes, and water. It’s frequently used to promote general well-being, replenish vitamins and minerals, and relieve dehydration. It is important to consult Dr. Tamara Moise, DO, and Wadson Fils, PA-C at Big Apple Medical Urgent Care to determine if IV Hydration Therapy is right for you. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3805 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203.


Table of Contents:
How does IV hydration therapy differ from drinking water or oral supplements?
Is IV hydration therapy safe for everyone?
How quickly can you feel the effects of IV hydration therapy?
How often should someone undergo IV hydration therapy for optimal benefits?
At Big Apple Urgent Care, we know how important it is to keep your health and wellness at their best. Beyond traditional methods of hydration and nutrient intake, we offer intravenous (IV) hydration therapy – a medical treatment designed to infuse your body directly with fluids, vitamins, and minerals through the bloodstream.
IV hydration therapy is distinguishable from conventional drinking water or taking oral supplements.
Here are some key differences:
• Route of administration: IV hydration therapy doesn’t need to pass through the digestive system like oral intake. Instead, it directly introduces nutrients into the bloodstream for immediate delivery to your body’s cells.
• Rate of absorption: Unlike oral consumption, which could take hours to be absorbed into the bloodstream, IV fluids are absorbed much faster, providing immediate hydration and nutrient replenishment.
• Control over fluid delivery: We can precisely control the volume and composition of the fluids delivered through IV hydration therapy, especially in cases where rapid hydration or nutrient replenishment is required.
• Nutrient replenishment: IV hydration can deliver higher doses of nutrients than oral consumption, such as vitamin C, without causing any digestive upset.
• Convenience: IV hydration is an efficient method for providing fluids and nutrients in situations where oral intake is impractical or ineffective.
We recommend IV hydration therapy for patients experiencing difficulty with oral intake, such as severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting, or unconsciousness. It’s also beneficial for rapid hydration needs, as in cases of heatstroke or exercise-induced dehydration, or when specific nutrient replenishment is required, such as for potassium deficiency or electrolyte imbalance. It is also suitable for patients with gastrointestinal disorders or malabsorption, where oral hydration is insufficient or ineffective.
In most cases, IV hydration therapy is quite safe, especially when administered by our highly trained and qualified healthcare professionals. The majority of adverse effects are mild and transient, like injection site soreness or bruises. Serious complications, such as an infection or blood clot, are rare.
However, our team pays special attention to individuals with certain underlying health conditions, like congestive heart failure and kidney disease. IV fluids can exacerbate fluid retention, putting strain on the heart, and overloading the kidneys, leading to further complications. We also pay attention to individuals with electrolyte imbalances, as IV fluids can alter electrolyte levels, which can be dangerous.
We also consider the medications our patients are currently on, as IV fluids can interact with certain medications, such as antihypertensives, diuretics, and blood thinners. In such cases, we ensure to monitor the patient closely, as IV fluids can increase blood volume, counteract the diuretic effect of certain medications, and dilute the blood, increasing the risk of bleeding.
Our team is highly trained to minimize risks, such as allergic reactions to the components of IV fluids or infections from improperly sterilized needles. We also ensure to administer the IV solution at a safe pace to avoid fluid overload.
We take into account other factors such as age, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, as elderly individuals and women in these conditions may require additional considerations. Furthermore, we strictly adhere to hygiene protocols to ensure that the site of insertion does not become infected.
The speed at which you begin to feel the effects of this therapy can depend on several factors, including your overall health, the severity of your dehydration, and the particular mix of nutrients in your IV drip.
Key factors influencing effects are:
• Dehydration Level: The severity of your dehydration can greatly influence how quickly you feel the effects. Severely dehydrated patients may experience more immediate effects.
• Volume Infused: The volume of fluid infused into your bloodstream also matters. Larger volumes of fluid infuse more electrolytes and water, leading to quicker effects.
• Underlying Conditions: Medical conditions that affect fluid balance, such as kidney disease or heart failure, can influence the rate of hydration. Also, if you’re receiving IV hydration therapy for a chronic condition, it may take a few hours or even repeated treatments before you start to feel the effects.
For most patients, the effects of IV hydration therapy are typically felt almost immediately after the treatment begins. This is because the nutrients and liquids enter your bloodstream directly, where your body can absorb and use them right away.
• Immediate Effects: Within just a few minutes of receiving IV hydration therapy, many patients report feeling more energetic, clear-headed, and refreshed.
• Within 1-3 Hours: Improved cognitive function, decreased fatigue, and increased energy levels.
• Within 24 Hours: Full hydration status, restoration of electrolyte balance, and reduced symptoms of dehydration. Most patients report feeling significantly better within this timeframe.
Moreover, these effects can last for several days after the treatment, as the therapy helps to replenish your body’s stores of essential nutrients and fluids, helping to keep you feeling well long after the treatment is finished.
The frequency of IV hydration therapy should be determined by various factors, including your overall health, lifestyle, and specific health needs. For patients seeking to maintain general wellness, IV hydration therapy is recommended once or twice a month. However, for those managing chronic health conditions or athletes requiring rapid recovery, we may recommend more frequent sessions.
In cases of mild to moderate dehydration, a single IV hydration session at our practice may suffice. However, if you are experiencing severe dehydration due to conditions like high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other fluid loss situations, multiple sessions over several days may be necessary. Our team can also administer IV hydration therapy after strenuous exercise or prolonged exposure to high temperatures to prevent dehydration and restore fluid balance.
While IV hydration therapy can offer numerous benefits, it should be done under medical supervision. Our goal is to assist you in choosing the most appropriate IV hydration therapy for maximum benefit and minimal risk. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3805 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203. We serve patients from Brooklyn NY, Flatlands NY, Canarsie NY, Park Slope NY, Prospect Heights NY, Clinton Hill NY, East New York NY, and surrounding areas.

Additional Services You May Need
- Urgent Care
- Women’s Health
- Medical Weight Loss
- Pediatric Services
- Work Physicals
- Immigration Physical Exams
- Minor Injury
- Yearly Labs For General Wellness
- IV Hydration Therapy
- Cough/Colds
- STI Testing
- Covid Testing
- Covid Vaccine
- Sprains and Strains
- Laceration
- Asthma
- Abscess
- Medication Refill
- DOT Physicals
- Semaglutide Injections
- Tirzepatide
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Additional Services You May Need
- Urgent Care
- Women’s Health
- Medical Weight Loss
- Pediatric Services
- Work Physicals
- Immigration Physical Exams
- Minor Injury
- Yearly Labs For General Wellness
- IV Hydration Therapy
- Cough/Colds
- STI Testing
- Covid Testing
- Covid Vaccine
- Sprains and Strains
- Laceration
- Abscess
- Asthma
- Medication Refill
- DOT Physicals
- Semaglutide Injections
- Tirzepatide
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy