what is Intravenous Vitamin C?
At Acacia, we use Intravenous Vitamin C to achieve higher levels of Vitamin C in the patient than what can be achieved through oral routes.
Is IV Vitamin C Therapy the right treatment for you?
In consultation with your Naturopathic Doctor you will decide if IV vitamin C is an effective treatment for your specific condition. This will include a thorough assessment in the initial visit, and lab work prior to proceeding with treatment. The typical lab work required prior to IV vitamin C is liver and kidney function tests, G6PD Status, and a complete blood count with differential.
What to expect:
IV vitamin C treatments will last between 1 and 3 hours and are usually given 1-3 times a week.
On treatment days, patients sit in our comfortable IV therapy chairs in our IV room. We will provide water or herbal/green tea. Patients are encouraged to bring a small snack. A small catheter is placed in a large vein in the arm and secured there for the duration of the treatment. The infusion is started and monitored by our Registered Nurse or Naturopathic Doctor. Patients can read, use iPads or personal computers, listen to music, enjoy a cup of tea and snack as needed. There is a small amount of discomfort with the insertion of the catheter, but after that the treatment is typically painless.
Smokers are not eligible for this treatment as it renders it less effective. IV vitamin C cannot be used with the chemotherapy agent/drug Methotrexate.
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