A Myers cocktail is an intravenous (IV) drip of fluids containing magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby (Metrotown), it comes in three menu options: 100 mL with glutathione (30 minutes, $250), 250 mL (60 minutes, $250) and 250 mL with glutathione (60 minutes, $295). Screening comes first, and some people should not have it at all.
If you have searched for "Myers cocktail Burnaby" or "Myers cocktail Vancouver", you have probably found a lot of enthusiasm and very little detail. This article sticks to the detail: what the drip contains, how the three options differ, how long each appointment takes, what it costs, what the research does and does not show, and who is usually advised against it. It does not cover what an IV appointment feels like from check-in to aftercare; that is in our separate guide to what to expect at an IV appointment.
What is a Myers cocktail?
A Myers cocktail is a named combination of minerals and vitamins diluted in sterile fluid and given slowly through a vein. It is not a single licensed product; it is a formulation that a practitioner prepares or orders, and the exact contents can vary from clinic to clinic.
The name comes from Dr. John Myers, a Baltimore physician who used intravenous vitamin and mineral mixtures in his practice in the 1960s and 1970s. The version most often described today was set out by Dr. Alan Gaby in a 2002 article in Alternative Medicine Review. Since then, many clinics in North America have offered their own version under the same name.
What is in a Myers cocktail?
The core ingredients are magnesium, calcium, several B vitamins (commonly B12, B6, B5 and a B-complex) and vitamin C, mixed into a sterile carrier fluid. The amounts depend on the formulation and on the practitioner's assessment of you.
A plain-language breakdown of the typical components:
- Magnesium (usually as magnesium chloride or sulfate): a mineral involved in muscle and nerve function. It is the ingredient most often responsible for the warm, flushed feeling some people notice during the drip.
- Calcium (usually as calcium gluconate): a mineral involved in muscle contraction and nerve signalling.
- B vitamins: water-soluble vitamins that act as cofactors in energy metabolism. Excess amounts are mostly cleared through the kidneys.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): a water-soluble vitamin. Larger amounts of IV vitamin C need extra screening, discussed below.
- Carrier fluid: sterile water or saline, which is why the volume (100 mL or 250 mL) matters for time in the chair.
Before you agree to anything, you are entitled to see the full ingredient and dose list. Ask for it at your consultation.
What are the three Myers cocktail options at Skin Art MD?
There are three menu items, and they differ in fluid volume, whether glutathione is added, and appointment length. The ND helps you decide which, if any, fits your situation.
| Menu item | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| IV Myers Cocktail 100 mL + Glutathione | 30 min | $250 |
| IV Myers Cocktail 250 mL | 60 min | $250 |
| IV Myers Cocktail 250 mL + Glutathione | 60 min | $295 |
Additional charges may apply for customized IV nutrients.
A few points that help when reading this table:
- Volume drives time. A 100 mL bag runs in a shorter appointment than a 250 mL bag. The infusion rate is set by the practitioner, not by the booking slot, and is slowed if you feel unwell.
- Glutathione is an add-on. Glutathione is a small molecule the body makes from three amino acids. Adding it changes the formulation and the screening questions. We explain what it is, and what the evidence does and does not show, in a separate article on glutathione IV and the glutathione push.
- The price is the same for two different options. The 100 mL option with glutathione and the 250 mL option without it are both $250; they are simply different formulations.
How long does a Myers cocktail appointment take?
Plan for the listed time (30 or 60 minutes) plus a few minutes before and after. The clock includes placing the IV line, the infusion itself and a short check before you leave.
You can book the treatment directly: Each treatment starts with a review of your health history and medications, and Dr. Krantsevich Riehl confirms it is suitable for you before it is given. If you would like a full assessment first, start with an Initial Naturopathic Visit (60 minutes, $250). Returning patients whose plan needs reviewing may book a Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (30 minutes, $195).
What does the research show about the Myers cocktail?
The research is limited. Most of what has been published consists of case reports, practitioner reviews and a small number of small trials, so firm conclusions about benefits are not possible.
The most cited controlled study is a small pilot trial in people with fibromyalgia, published in 2009 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Ali and colleagues). It compared a Myers-style infusion with a placebo infusion. Both groups reported improvement, and the difference between them was not statistically significant. The authors noted a large placebo response and called for larger studies.
Beyond that, there are no large, high-quality trials showing that a Myers cocktail prevents or treats any specific condition. That is why we do not describe it as a treatment for any condition, and why the decision to have one should rest on a clear conversation about what you hope it will do, what is known and unknown, and what else might be more appropriate. Individual experiences vary.
If you are tired or unwell and do not know why, that deserves a diagnosis first. The ND may suggest bloodwork, and your family physician is an important part of that conversation; see our article on blood tests a naturopathic doctor may order in BC.
Who should not have a Myers cocktail?
People with significant kidney or heart conditions, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with certain medication interactions or enzyme deficiencies are commonly advised against an elective vitamin and mineral IV. This is general information; your own situation needs to be assessed.
Situations the ND will ask about:
- Kidney disease or reduced kidney function. The kidneys clear magnesium and water-soluble vitamins. A history of kidney stones also matters because of the vitamin C content.
- Heart failure, rhythm problems or low blood pressure. Added fluid volume and magnesium can affect circulation and blood pressure.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Elective IV therapy is generally deferred; prenatal needs belong with your prenatal care provider.
- G6PD deficiency. Larger amounts of IV vitamin C can cause red blood cells to break down in people with this enzyme deficiency, so a G6PD test may be requested first.
- Medications. Some heart medications (such as digoxin), diuretics, blood thinners and others can change the plan. Bring a complete list, including supplements.
- Previous reactions to any IV ingredient, or a history of fainting with needles.
For the full picture of how screening works, read why screening and lab work come before any infusion.
What side effects can happen?
Most reported effects are mild and short-lived, but you should know about them before you book. The most common are related to the IV line itself or to the magnesium and calcium.
- A warm or flushed feeling, sometimes described as warmth in the chest or pelvis, usually linked to magnesium. Slowing the drip often eases it.
- Light-headedness or a drop in blood pressure.
- A cool feeling or mild aching along the arm, or irritation of the vein.
- Bruising or tenderness where the cannula went in.
- Less commonly, inflammation of the vein lasting a few days, or an allergic reaction.
Tell the practitioner straight away if you feel faint, short of breath, have chest pain or notice swelling of the face or throat. After you leave, contact the clinic about anything that does not settle, and call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Does extended health cover a Myers cocktail?
It depends entirely on your plan. Some extended health plans reimburse part of a visit with a registered naturopathic doctor; many limit the amount per visit or per year, and some exclude IV therapy or the cost of the ingredients.
MSP does not cover elective IV therapy at a private clinic. Skin Art MD does not bill insurers directly. After each visit you receive an official receipt showing the practitioner's name and registration number, and you submit it to your insurer yourself. Before you book, ask your insurer two questions: whether naturopathic services are covered, and whether IV treatments given by an ND are included or excluded. Our article on using extended health benefits for a naturopathic doctor in BC walks through the details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a Myers cocktail directly?
Yes. Each treatment starts with a review of your health history and medications, and Dr. Krantsevich Riehl confirms it is suitable for you before it is given. If anything in your history needs a closer look, the ND may suggest an Initial Naturopathic Visit or bloodwork first.
Which of the three options should I choose?
That depends on your health history, how you have tolerated IVs before and whether glutathione is appropriate for you. The ND will go through the options with you; "none of them" is also a possible answer.
Is the Myers cocktail the same everywhere?
No. The name describes a general approach rather than a fixed recipe, so contents and doses vary between clinics. Ask any provider for the full ingredient and dose list.
Can I drive afterwards?
Most people can, but if you feel light-headed, wait until it passes. If you have fainted with needles before, consider bringing someone with you.
How often can I have one?
There is no evidence-based schedule. Any repeat IV is discussed with the ND based on your health, not offered as a package.
Booking
Skin Art MD is in Burnaby near Metrotown and serves clients across Greater Vancouver. IV therapy is provided by our naturopathic physician, Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND, who is registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. You can see every menu item and book online, or read about our naturopathic medicine services. If you have a family physician, let them know you are considering IV therapy so your care stays coordinated.
