A clinically framed guide from Core IV Therapy in Herndon, Virginia
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) IV therapy is one of the most requested services at Core IV Therapy, and one of the most over-promised treatments in the wellness industry. This page sets out what the published research actually shows, where the evidence is still thin or unclear, and exactly how we supervise NAD+ infusions at our Herndon clinic. We believe you should hear the limits from us, not discover them later.
What NAD+ Is
NAD+ is a coenzyme found in every cell. It is essential for turning food into cellular energy and is used by enzymes involved in DNA repair and cell signalling, including sirtuins and PARPs. Research reviews describe a decline in NAD+ levels in several tissues with age, and a 2012 study of human tissue samples found lower NAD+ with increasing age (Massudi et al.; Covarrubias et al.).
What the Evidence Shows
- Strong animal data. In mice and other models, raising NAD+ improves several markers of metabolic and mitochondrial health. A 2018 review in Cell Metabolism summarizes this work and notes that human evidence lags well behind (Rajman, Chwalek & Sinclair).
- Precursors raise NAD+ in people. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial found that oral nicotinamide riboside was well tolerated and raised NAD+ metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older adults, with only preliminary signals on blood pressure and arterial stiffness (Martens et al., Nature Communications, 2018).
- One metabolic outcome. A randomized trial in Science found that the precursor NMN improved muscle insulin sensitivity in overweight or obese postmenopausal women with prediabetes (Yoshino et al., 2021).
- What happens to infused NAD+. A pilot study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience tracked a 6-hour IV infusion. For at least the first 2 hours, NAD+ was rapidly and completely removed from plasma, and breakdown products appeared in urine (Grant et al., 2019). This tells us how the body handles infused NAD+, not whether it improves health outcomes.
Where the Evidence Is Unclear
- There are no large randomized controlled trials showing that IV NAD+ improves energy, cognition, longevity, or any disease outcome.
- Most positive human data involve oral precursors (NR, NMN), not intravenous NAD+ itself, so results cannot simply be transferred.
- Claims about NAD+ for addiction recovery come mainly from clinic reports and case series, not controlled trials.
- Intravenous NAD+ is not FDA-approved to treat any condition.
We still offer NAD+ because many clients value it as part of a supervised wellness plan, but we want that choice to be an informed one.
How We Supervise NAD+ Infusions
- Physician oversight. Our IV services operate under our Medical Director, Dr. Jonathan Hodor, DO, MS.
- Licensed clinicians at the chair. Infusions are placed and monitored by our nursing and paramedic-trained clinical staff.
- Health history first. Our clinical team reviews your medical history and medications before recommending any protocol.
- Slow, rate-controlled infusion. Side effects such as flushing, chest tightness and nausea are largely rate-related, so we infuse slowly: 250 mg over about 1.5–3 hours and 500 mg over about 4–5 hours, slowing further if you feel discomfort.
- In-office only. NAD+ infusions are performed at our Herndon clinic, not as mobile or at-home services.
- Pharmacy-prepared. We work with our preferred compounding pharmacy for our infusion ingredients.
Who Should Talk to Their Doctor First
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (safety data are lacking)
- Active cancer or cancer treatment
- Heart, kidney or liver disease
- Anyone taking multiple prescription medications
NAD+ Pricing at Core IV Therapy
| Dose | Approx. time | Single session | Package of 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAD+ 250 mg | 1.5–3 hours | $300 | $825 |
| NAD+ 500 mg | 4–5 hours | $550 | $1,500 |
See the full menu, including Super Immune Booster combinations, on our NAD+ IV therapy page. You may also be interested in Niagen® NR IV, an infused form of the precursor nicotinamide riboside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NAD+ IV therapy FDA-approved?
No. Intravenous NAD+ is not FDA-approved to treat any disease or condition. It is offered as a wellness service, and claims about it should be read with that in mind.
Is there proof that NAD+ IV therapy works?
Not in the sense of large randomized trials. Human research shows that oral NAD+ precursors can raise blood NAD+ and are well tolerated, and one trial found improved muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. For infused NAD+ itself, the published human data are mostly small pharmacokinetic pilot studies. Benefits for energy, cognition, aging or addiction recovery have not been established in controlled trials.
What side effects can NAD+ infusions cause?
The most commonly reported effects during infusion are flushing, chest or abdominal tightness, nausea, cramping, headache and lightheadedness. They are usually related to how fast NAD+ is infused and typically ease when the rate is slowed, which is why our infusions run over 1.5 to 5 hours.
How long does an NAD+ infusion take at Core IV Therapy?
A 250 mg infusion takes about 1.5–3 hours and a 500 mg infusion about 4–5 hours. All NAD+ infusions are done in our Herndon office, not as mobile or at-home services.
Can NAD+ replace addiction treatment?
No. NAD+ infusions should never replace medically supervised detox or evidence-based substance use treatment. If you are dependent on alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines, stopping suddenly can be dangerous; please speak with a physician or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
How much does NAD+ IV therapy cost at Core IV Therapy?
NAD+ 250 mg is $300 per session (3 for $825) and NAD+ 500 mg is $550 per session (3 for $1,500). Combination packages with our Super Immune Booster drip are also available.
Talk to Our Team About NAD+
Core IV Therapy, 108 Elden Street, Suite 15A, Herndon, VA 20170 · 866-426-7348
Serving Herndon, Reston, Sterling, Ashburn, Fairfax and the wider Northern Virginia area. Request a free phone consultation or book online.
References
- Grant R, et al. A pilot study investigating changes in the human plasma and urine NAD+ metabolome during a 6 hour intravenous infusion of NAD+. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2019;11:257. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00257
- Martens CR, et al. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications. 2018;9:1286. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7
- Yoshino M, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science. 2021;372(6547):1224–1229. doi:10.1126/science.abe9985
- Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529–547. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.011
- Covarrubias AJ, et al. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. 2021;22:119–141. doi:10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x
- Massudi H, et al. Age-associated changes in oxidative stress and NAD+ metabolism in human tissue. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(7):e42357. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042357
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Core IV Therapy provides wellness services and does not diagnose or treat disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.