Vermont authorities warn IV therapy clinics to follow strict rules for treatments

Dan D'Ambrosio
Burlington Free Press

Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) fired a warning shot across the bow of the state's IV therapy clinics and medical spas in a public statement last week, saying what they do "indisputably constitutes the practice of medicine," and requires them to follow strict rules governing prescriptions, drug compounding and the administering of IVs.

The OPR and Board of Medical Practice said they have recently received "reports of inappropriate activities occurring at IV therapy clinics/spas, including out-of-scope practice and unlicensed practice of medicine."

Contacted by the Burlington Free Press about the reports, Jennifer Colin, general counsel for the OPR, said in an email that to date no disciplinary charges have been filed against any IV therapy businesses or medical spas as the result of a complaint, "so we are not authorized to share complaints or reports received." Colin said if charges are filed, the complaints will be made public.

[...]

IV 'cocktails' marketed as treatments for hangovers and more

The OPR explained that so-called "IV therapy" involves administering intravenous "cocktails" of additives to saline that may include vitamins, minerals or prescriptions drugs. These IV cocktails are offered in retail therapy clinics or "medical spas," and are marketed as treatments for dehydration, fatigue and hangovers, or to help people with athletic recovery or weight loss.

[...]