IV Therapy for Hangovers and Dehydration: Does It Work?
What a hangover IV actually does, how it compares to oral rehydration, the signs of dehydration that need medical care, and Houston heat considerations.
Read guideVitamins
Vitamin B-Complex
Also known as: B vitamins, B1 B2 B3 B5 B6, thiamine riboflavin niacinamide dexpanthenol pyridoxine
A mix of B vitamins involved in energy metabolism — a staple of Myers'-style drips.
Medically reviewed by Akash Bhagat, DO, FACEP
What the evidence supports
| Use | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Correcting deficiency (e.g., thiamine in alcohol use disorder or malnutrition) | Established |
| Energy / fatigue in people without deficiency | Unproven |
| Hangover recovery | Unproven |
Common side effects
- Bright yellow urine (riboflavin)
- Vitamin taste
- Warmth or flushing
Who should be cautious or avoid this
- Rare allergic reactions, including to thiamine
- Kidney disease
What it is
A combination of B vitamins — typically thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacinamide (B3), dexpanthenol (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). These act as cofactors that help your cells turn food into usable energy.
Why it’s used in IV therapy
B vitamins are part of the original Myers’ cocktail and appear in most energy, hangover, and recovery drips.
What the evidence says
Treating a true deficiency is established medicine — IV thiamine, for example, is critical for people with severe alcohol use disorder or malnutrition. For well-nourished people, there’s no good evidence extra B vitamins increase energy. Helping your cells use energy isn’t the same as giving you more of it.
Side effects and cautions
Expect bright yellow urine afterward — that’s riboflavin and it’s harmless. Allergic reactions are rare but have been reported, particularly with IV thiamine.