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Maybe your first drip helped after a rough day in the sun, and now you are wondering whether to book another. It is a sensible question, and the answer to how often can you get an IV drip is not a single number. It depends on your health, which drip you are having, why you want it and what the nurse finds when they check you.

This guide explains how we think about repeat drips, what affects the decision, and why we would rather say no than give you something you do not need.

How often can you get an IV drip? Why there is no fixed rule

You may see websites quoting a set number of drips per week or month. We do not, because a healthy adult who had one drip after a long day of diving is in a very different position from someone with a heart condition, someone who takes regular medication, or someone who has been unwell for days.

A wellness drip is not like a daily vitamin tablet. It puts fluid and nutrients straight into your bloodstream, which is why every visit starts with a health check. The nurse looks at how you feel today, your medical history, any medicines you take and when you last had a drip, then decides whether another one is appropriate and which one fits.

If you would like to see what that visit involves step by step, our how it works page covers the process from booking to the end of the drip.

Why more is not better

It is easy to assume that if one drip made you feel good, two or three must be even better. Your body does not work that way. When you are well hydrated and eating normally, it simply gets rid of what it does not need.

• Extra fluid: healthy kidneys pass excess water out, so topping up when you are already hydrated mostly means more trips to the bathroom. For people with heart or kidney problems, too much fluid can be a real strain.
• Water-soluble vitamins: B vitamins and vitamin C that your body cannot use are largely excreted in urine rather than stored for later.
• Fat-soluble vitamins and some minerals: these can build up in the body, and very high amounts over time can be harmful. Even water-soluble vitamins in large doses are not right for everyone, particularly people with kidney conditions.
• The cannula itself: every drip means a small needle in a vein. The risk is low with sterile, single-use equipment, but bruising, irritation and, rarely, infection are possible each time.

So the real question is not how many drips you can have, but whether a drip is useful for you right now.

Can you have two IV drips in a week?

Sometimes, yes. A guest who had a drip after arriving tired from a long flight might, later in the week, come back exhausted and short on fluids after a hard day of diving or training in the heat. If the health check shows a drip is suitable, the nurse may be happy to go ahead.

Equally, the nurse may suggest waiting, choosing a different drip or simply drinking oral rehydration salts and resting instead. That is not the nurse being unhelpful. It is the point of having a registered nurse make the call rather than a booking form.

What the nurse considers

• Why you want another drip, and whether the reason is something water, food and rest would sort out.
• When you had your last drip and what was in it.
• Your blood pressure, pulse and how you are feeling on the day.
• Any heart, kidney or liver conditions, pregnancy, allergies or regular medicines.
• Whether your symptoms suggest you need a doctor rather than a wellness drip.

Is an IV drip every day on holiday a good idea?

For most healthy travellers, no. If you feel you need a drip every day, that is a sign to look at what is causing it: not enough water, too much sun, too much alcohol, too little sleep or an illness that needs proper medical attention.

Daily drips also add up the small risks of repeated cannulas and can mask a problem that a doctor should look at. If you keep feeling dizzy, drained or unwell, please see a doctor. Koh Lanta Hospital is near Lanta Old Town, and larger hospitals are in Krabi Town.

Our FAQ page answers other common questions about who can have a drip and what to expect.

Long stays on Koh Lanta: thinking beyond the next drip

Plenty of people stay on Koh Lanta for weeks or months, and Klong Dao is a favourite for long-stay visitors and families. Over a longer stay, habits matter far more than any single drip.

• Carry water everywhere and sip through the day, not just when you feel thirsty.
• Keep a few oral rehydration salts sachets at home for hot or active days.
• Plan outdoor activities for the morning and late afternoon, especially in the hot season from roughly March to May.
• Eat regular meals with fruit and vegetables rather than relying on supplements.
• Give yourself rest days between diving, Muay Thai sessions or long scooter trips.

If you do want occasional support during a long stay, talk it through with the nurse. They can look at your pattern of drips over time and suggest a sensible approach for you, which may well be fewer drips than you expected.

Signs a drip is not what you need

A wellness drip is not emergency or hospital care. Skip the booking and see a doctor, or call 1669 for an ambulance in an emergency, if you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, fainting, a high fever, severe abdominal pain, or vomiting or diarrhoea that will not settle. These need a medical assessment, not another drip.

The short answer on repeat drips

How often you can get an IV drip comes down to your health, your reasons and the nurse’s judgement on the day. One drip when you genuinely need a top-up can help many people feel better, but more drips are not more benefit, and the basics of water, electrolytes, food and rest still matter most. If you are unsure whether another drip makes sense, message us on WhatsApp and we will ask a few questions before anything is booked.

Frequently asked questions

You have had a drip and you feel better. The natural next question is how long that feeling will stay. How long does an IV drip last in terms of its effects? The honest answer is that it varies from person to person, and much of it depends on what you do in the hours after.

This article is about the effects, not the appointment. If you want to know how long a session takes, the drip itself usually runs for about 45 to 60 minutes, and our FAQ page covers the visit in more detail.

How long does an IV drip last? The honest answer

Anyone who gives you an exact number of hours or days is guessing. How long you feel the benefit depends on several things: how dehydrated or run down you were to begin with, which drip you had, your size and health, and how hot and active the rest of your day is.

What we can say is that a drip is a top-up, not a permanent change. It gives your body fluid and nutrients directly, and your body then uses, stores or passes them out in the normal way.

How soon will I feel better after an IV drip?

If you were dehydrated, many people notice a difference during the drip or soon after it finishes. The fluid goes straight into your bloodstream, so it does not have to pass through an upset stomach first. That is one reason drips appeal when you cannot keep water down.

Other people feel a more gradual improvement over the rest of the day, and some notice little change, particularly if they were not very dehydrated in the first place. Tiredness from poor sleep or jet lag also takes time to settle, whatever you do. A drip can help with the fluid side of things, but it cannot replace a good night’s sleep or a few days for your body clock to adjust.

What happens to the fluid after a drip?

The fluid from a drip spreads from your blood into the rest of your body, much like water you drink, just faster. Your kidneys then balance things out, which is why many people need the toilet during or after a drip.

On Koh Lanta, you also lose fluid all day through sweat. A long walk on the beach at midday, a boat trip or an evening at a sunset bar can use up that top-up surprisingly quickly. In a cool room, resting, the benefit tends to stay with you for longer.

How long do IV vitamins stay in your system?

It depends on the vitamin. B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble, which means your body does not store large amounts of them. It uses what it needs and passes the rest out in your urine, which is why your urine may look bright yellow after a drip with B vitamins.

Vitamin B12 is an exception, as the body can store it in the liver. Minerals such as magnesium are used throughout the body and regulated by the kidneys. We would rather be honest than impressive here: a drip does not create a long-lasting store of most vitamins, so think of the benefit as short-term support rather than a lasting boost.

How to make the effects of a drip last longer

You have more control over this than you might think. These simple habits help you hold on to the benefit:

• Keep drinking water through the rest of the day. A drip is not a reason to stop.
• Use oral rehydration salts if you are sweating heavily or have had an upset stomach.
• Stay out of the strongest sun, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon.
• Hold off on alcohol for the rest of the day, as it makes you lose fluid.
• Eat regular, light meals, which contain salts and help your body hold on to fluid.
• Sleep in a cool room if you can. Rest is still one of the best recovery tools there is.

A top-up for hot days: the Hydration Boost drip

If your main reason for a drip is the heat, our Hydration Boost drip is built for that. It combines 1 litre of electrolyte fluids with vitamin B complex and magnesium, and a registered nurse gives it at your villa, hotel or bungalow after a short health check.

Many guests use it after a long, hot day, a dive trip or a bout of travel tiredness. It can help you rehydrate quickly, but it works best alongside the habits above rather than instead of them.

If you are weighing up whether you need a drip at all, our guide to IV drip vs drinking water looks at when a glass of water is enough.

When feeling better does not last

If you feel better after a drip but quickly slide back into feeling unwell, that is worth paying attention to. Ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, a fever, severe headache, confusion or feeling faint are signs that something more than simple dehydration may be going on.

In that case, see a doctor rather than booking another drip. Koh Lanta Hospital is near Lanta Old Town, and in an emergency call 1669, Thailand’s ambulance number.

Getting the most from your drip on Koh Lanta

So, how long does an IV drip last? Long enough to give you a helpful top-up, with the exact time depending on you and your day. Drink steadily, stay cool, go easy on alcohol and rest, and you will hold on to the benefit for longer. If you have questions about which drip suits you, message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Before you let anything into your veins, it is fair to want to know exactly what it is. So, what is in an IV drip? A wellness drip is mostly fluid, with a small number of vitamins, minerals and, sometimes, medicines added. This guide explains each of the common ingredients in plain words.

We have used the ingredients from our own menu throughout, so you can see exactly what goes into each drip, and what each one is there for.

What is in an IV drip? The basic recipe

Think of a drip as two parts. The first is the fluid base, which makes up nearly all of the bag. The second is the additions: vitamins, minerals and other ingredients mixed into that fluid.

The fluid rehydrates you directly, without having to pass through your stomach. The additions are what give each drip its focus, whether that is a hangover, heat, jet lag or an active week.

Saline vs electrolyte drip: what is the difference?

Saline is sterile salt water, made to roughly the same saltiness as your blood. It is one of the most widely used fluids in medicine. Our Hangover Recovery drip uses 1 litre of saline as its base.

An electrolyte solution contains salt plus other minerals your body uses to balance fluids, such as potassium. You lose these through sweat, which is why an electrolyte base suits our Hydration Boost drip, made with 1 litre of electrolyte fluids.

Both rehydrate you. The difference is mainly in the mix of salts, and your nurse can explain which suits you during the health check. Either way, 1 litre is a sensible amount for a wellness drip, given slowly over the length of the visit while you rest.

Vitamins in an IV drip

Vitamin B complex

B complex is a group of B vitamins that your body uses to turn food into energy and to support the nervous system. It appears in five of our six drips. B vitamins are water-soluble, so your body uses what it needs and passes the rest out in your urine, which can turn it bright yellow for a while.

Vitamin B12

B12 is one of the B vitamins, involved in making red blood cells and in nerve function. It is given on its own, in addition to B complex, in our Energy & Jet Lag drip.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that the body uses for the immune system, wound healing and healthy skin. It appears in Hangover Recovery and Beauty Glow, and in a high dose in Immunity Boost. Like B vitamins, it is water-soluble.

Biotin

Biotin is another B vitamin, often linked with hair, skin and nails. It is one of the ingredients in our Beauty Glow drip.

Minerals and other ingredients

• Magnesium is a mineral involved in muscle and nerve function and energy production. It is in Hydration Boost, Energy & Jet Lag and Dive & Active Recovery.
• Zinc is a trace mineral the immune system relies on. It is part of Immunity Boost.
• Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which muscles use to repair. They are part of Dive & Active Recovery.
• Glutathione is an antioxidant the body makes naturally. It is in Beauty Glow, and our glutathione guide explains honestly what is and is not known about it.

It is worth being honest here: the evidence for giving some of these extras through a drip, rather than through food, is limited. Many guests feel better after a drip, and the fluids alone can make a real difference when you are dehydrated.

Anti-nausea medicine and pain relief

Our Hangover Recovery drip can also include anti-nausea medicine and pain relief, but only if they are suitable for you. These are medicines, not vitamins, so the nurse checks your medical history, allergies and anything you have already taken before deciding.

If you have already taken a painkiller that morning, tell your nurse. It matters for what is safe to add. The same goes for any allergies, regular prescriptions or herbal remedies, even if they seem unrelated. The health check is there to make sure everything in the bag suits you, and the nurse would much rather hear too much than too little.

What is not in our drips

Knowing what is left out is just as useful. Our Energy & Jet Lag drip contains no caffeine, and none of our drips are designed for weight loss. Each drip contains only the ingredients listed on its page, and you are welcome to ask your nurse about any of them.

Drip by drip: a quick ingredient summary

• Hangover Recovery: 1 litre of saline, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and anti-nausea medicine and pain relief if suitable.
• Hydration Boost: 1 litre of electrolyte fluids, vitamin B complex and magnesium.
• Immunity Boost: high-dose vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B complex and fluids.
• Energy & Jet Lag: vitamin B12, vitamin B complex, magnesium and fluids, with no caffeine.
• Dive & Active Recovery: amino acids, magnesium, vitamin B complex and fluids.
• Beauty Glow: glutathione, vitamin C, biotin and fluids.

You can see every drip in more detail on our IV drips page. If you are still deciding, our guide to which IV drip to get matches each one to how you feel.

Knowing what goes into your drip before you book

A wellness drip is simpler than it looks: a fluid base, a handful of vitamins and minerals, and in one case medicines that are only added when suitable. Every visit begins with a health check by a registered nurse, which you can read about on our how it works page. If you have a question about a particular ingredient, message us on WhatsApp before you book.

Frequently asked questions

If you are thinking about booking a drip but the idea of a needle makes your stomach turn, you are in good company. “Does an IV drip hurt?” is one of the first questions nervous guests ask us. The honest answer is that there is a brief, sharp scratch when it goes in, and for most people that is the worst of it.

This guide explains exactly what happens and what you will feel at each stage, and shares some practical tips for anyone who is scared of needles.

So, does an IV drip hurt?

For most people, the only part that hurts is the moment the needle goes through the skin. It is usually described as a quick, sharp scratch or pinch, similar to a blood test. It lasts a second or two.

After that, most people feel little more than a slight awareness of something in their arm. Everyone is different, and some people have veins that are harder to find, which can mean a second attempt. A good nurse will take their time choosing a vein to make that less likely.

What actually goes into your arm: the cannula explained

A common worry is that a needle stays in your arm for the whole drip. It does not. The nurse uses a needle to guide a cannula into the vein. A cannula is a very thin, flexible plastic tube.

Once the cannula is in place, the needle is taken out straight away. Only the soft tube stays in the vein, held in place with a clear dressing or tape. The drip line is then connected to it.

Because the tube is soft, you can usually move your hand and arm gently, scroll on your phone or read a book. You will just be asked to keep the arm fairly still and avoid bending it sharply if the cannula is near your elbow.

What does an IV drip feel like once it is running?

Once the fluid starts to flow, many people notice a cool sensation travelling up the arm. The fluid is at room temperature, which is cooler than your blood, so this is completely normal and usually fades as you get used to it.

Some people also notice a faint taste in the mouth when certain vitamins go in. Others feel nothing at all and simply relax, chat or doze off. The drip itself usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes, plus a few minutes for the health check beforehand.

What you should not feel is increasing pain, burning, or swelling around the cannula site. Those can mean the cannula has moved or fluid is leaking into the surrounding tissue. Tell your nurse straight away. They will stop the drip and check it, and it is easily put right.

Your first time IV drip: step by step

Knowing what is coming makes the whole thing far less daunting. A typical first visit goes like this:

1. The health check. A registered nurse asks how you feel, about your medical history and any medicines, and checks the basics. This is the moment to mention any fear of needles.
2. Getting comfortable. You sit back or lie down on a bed or sofa. Lying down is a good idea if you feel nervous.
3. Finding a vein. The nurse places a band around your upper arm, looks for a suitable vein and cleans the skin.
4. The scratch. A quick, sharp feeling as the cannula goes in, then the needle comes out.
5. The drip. The fluid runs in slowly while you rest. The nurse stays with you and keeps an eye on how you are doing.
6. Finishing. The cannula is removed, which most people barely notice, and a small dressing or plaster goes on.

You can read more about each stage on our how it works page.

Scared of needles? IV drip tips that help

A fear of needles is very common and nothing to be embarrassed about. These simple steps help many people:

• Tell your nurse. Nurses look after nervous patients all the time. Knowing you are anxious helps them go at your pace.
• Lie down. If you have ever felt faint at a blood test, lying flat makes fainting much less likely.
• Drink some water beforehand. Being well hydrated can make veins easier to find, unless you have been told to limit fluids.
• Keep warm. Veins are often easier to see when you are warm, so you may want the air conditioning a little higher for a few minutes.
• Look away and breathe out slowly. A long, steady out-breath as the needle goes in helps many people stay calm.
• Have a distraction ready. A podcast, a playlist or a friend to chat to makes the time pass quickly.

What if I feel faint or dizzy?

Some people feel light-headed, sweaty or sick at the sight or thought of a needle. This is a common reaction, not a sign that something has gone wrong, but it is important to say something as soon as you notice it.

Tell your nurse straight away if you feel faint, dizzy, unusually hot or cold, or short of breath at any point. They can lie you down, raise your legs, slow or pause the drip and check you over. Do not try to tough it out quietly.

Does it hurt afterwards?

Once the cannula is out, most people feel fine. The site may feel a little tender for a day or so, and a small bruise is common, especially if you bruise easily. It usually fades on its own over several days.

Your nurse will give you aftercare advice before they leave. If the site becomes increasingly red, swollen, hot or painful, or you develop a fever, seek medical advice.

The honest answer for nervous first-timers

So, does an IV drip hurt? Briefly, yes, for a second or two. After that, most people find it far easier than they feared, and many are surprised how relaxing the rest of the visit is. If you are still unsure, read our guide to which IV drip to get, or message us on WhatsApp to ask any questions before you book.

Frequently asked questions

You have had a big night, a long flight or three days of diving in the heat, and you have decided an IV drip might help. Then you open the menu and see six options. So, which IV drip should I get? The short answer is to start with your main symptom, because each drip on our menu is built around a particular kind of holiday tiredness.

This guide matches common situations to the right drip, explains what makes each one different, and covers the times when the honest answer is a glass of water, a nap or a doctor instead.

Start with how you feel, not the ingredient list

Most of our drips share a base of fluids and vitamin B complex. What changes is the extra ingredients, and those are chosen with a particular situation in mind. Rather than comparing vitamins, ask yourself one question: what is bothering me most right now?

Is it a pounding head and a queasy stomach? Feeling dried out after a day in the sun? Wide awake at 3am because your body still thinks it is in Europe? Aching legs after a week on the dive boat? Once you know the main problem, the choice usually becomes obvious.

Which IV drip should I get? A quick symptom guide

Use this as a starting point. Each drip links to its own page, where you can read more about it.

• Headache, nausea and a rough morning after drinking: Hangover Recovery, with 1 litre of saline, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and anti-nausea medicine and pain relief if suitable.
• Thirsty, tired or light-headed from the heat: Hydration Boost, with 1 litre of electrolyte fluids, vitamin B complex and magnesium.
• Groggy and out of sync after a long flight: Energy & Jet Lag, with vitamin B12, vitamin B complex, magnesium and fluids. It contains no caffeine.
• Sore and drained after diving, Muay Thai or long hikes: Dive & Active Recovery, with amino acids, magnesium, vitamin B complex and fluids.
• Feeling run down and wanting extra support: Immunity Boost, with high-dose vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B complex and fluids.
• Skin feeling dry and dull after sun and travel: Beauty Glow, with glutathione, vitamin C, biotin and fluids.

If two of these sound like you, pick the one that matches your strongest symptom, then mention the other to your nurse during the health check.

What is the best IV drip for a hangover?

For a classic morning after, Hangover Recovery is the one most people choose. It is the only drip on our menu that can include anti-nausea medicine and pain relief, and those are only given if they are suitable for you after the health check. That makes it the natural choice when you feel sick, have a headache and are struggling to keep water down.

If your night out was mild and the main problem is simply feeling dry and sluggish in the heat, Hydration Boost may be enough. For a frank look at what a drip can and cannot do for a hangover, read does an IV drip help a hangover?

IV drip for jet lag or hangover: which comes first?

It is surprisingly common to arrive on Koh Lanta after a long journey, celebrate the first night, and wake up with both jet lag and a hangover. In that case, think about which feeling is louder.

• If nausea and a headache are the main issue, Hangover Recovery is usually the better fit.
• If you feel foggy, flat and are sleeping at the wrong times, but your stomach is fine, Energy & Jet Lag suits you better.
• If you are mainly thirsty and tired from the heat and the travel, Hydration Boost covers the basics.

Whichever you choose, daylight, sensible meal times and plenty of fluids do a lot of the work in resetting your body clock.

Choosing an IV drip for active days and long stays

Koh Lanta is a base for dive trips to Koh Haa and Hin Daeng / Hin Muang, and there are Muay Thai gyms on the island. If your days involve hard exercise, salt water and hours in the sun, Dive & Active Recovery is built for that. It combines fluids with amino acids and magnesium, which many active guests find helpful between training days or dive trips.

Long-stay visitors who feel generally worn down, perhaps after a cold or a run of late nights, often look at Immunity Boost. It is named for its high-dose vitamin C and zinc, but no drip can stop you catching a bug. Think of it as a top-up of fluids and vitamins rather than a shield.

Beauty Glow is the one drip that is more about how you feel in your skin than about recovering from something. If you are curious about it, our honest guide to glutathione explains what is known and what is not.

When you might not need a drip at all

A drip is not always the right answer, and we would rather you knew that before booking. If you are mildly thirsty, can drink normally and feel better after a rest, water, oral rehydration salts and a light meal are often all you need.

It is also not the right choice if you are seriously unwell. A high fever, severe stomach pain, chest pain, confusion or difficulty breathing need a doctor or hospital, not a wellness drip. Koh Lanta Hospital is near Lanta Old Town, and Thailand’s emergency ambulance number is 1669.

Some people are also not suited to a drip, for example those with certain heart or kidney conditions, or who are pregnant. If you are unsure, our article on whether it is safe to get an IV drip in Thailand covers this in more detail.

What happens if you choose the “wrong” drip?

Do not worry too much about picking perfectly. Every visit starts with a health check, where a registered nurse asks how you feel, about any medical conditions and medicines you take, and checks the basics. If another drip would suit you better, the nurse will say so.

The nurse may also suggest skipping a drip altogether if it does not seem right for you. That conversation is part of the service, not an upsell. You can see each step of a visit on our how it works page.

Still not sure which IV drip to choose? Ask us first

If you have read this far and are still torn between two drips, that is completely normal. Send us a short message saying how you feel, where you are staying and anything relevant about your health, and we will help you narrow it down. You can message us on WhatsApp with any questions before you book, or browse the full menu on our IV drips page.

Frequently asked questions

You have just had your drip, you feel better, and the sea is right there. So, what to do after an IV drip? For most people, aftercare is simple: look after the small puncture where the cannula went in, keep up your fluids and ease back into your beach day.

Your nurse will give you aftercare advice that fits you, and you should always follow that first. This guide covers the general points, with the island-specific questions we hear most: swimming, sun, alcohol and bruises.

What to do after an IV drip: the first hour

When the drip finishes, the nurse removes the cannula and presses on the spot for a short time to help it stop bleeding. A small plaster or dressing then goes on. Here is what helps in the first hour:

• Take a moment before you jump up. Sit for a few minutes and stand slowly, especially if you felt light-headed earlier.
• Leave the plaster on for a short while, as your nurse suggests, to keep the spot clean while it seals.
• Go easy on that arm. Avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise with it straight away, which can make bruising more likely.
• Have a drink of water and something light to eat if you have not eaten for a while.

Caring for the cannula site

The cannula leaves a tiny puncture in the skin, much like a blood test. Keep it clean and dry for a little while, and avoid picking at it or rubbing sun cream, sand or insect repellent into it while it is fresh.

It may feel slightly tender for a day or so. That is normal. What is not normal is a site that becomes more painful, red, swollen or hot over the following days, or that oozes. Those can be signs of irritation or infection, and you should get it checked.

Can you swim after an IV drip?

This is the question we hear most on Koh Lanta, and understandably so. The general advice is to wait until the puncture has sealed before you swim in the sea or a pool. A few hours is a common recommendation, but follow your nurse’s advice, as they will have seen your arm and know how the site looks.

Sea water, sand and pools all carry germs, and a fresh puncture is a small open door for them. Once the spot has sealed and there is no bleeding, a swim is usually fine. If you are unsure, ask before your nurse leaves.

Sun, heat and getting back to your holiday

You can usually go back out into the sun after a drip. The usual tropical sense still applies, perhaps more so if you booked the drip because the heat had already got to you.

• Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon.
• Keep a bottle of water with you and sip it regularly.
• Wear a hat and reapply sun cream, avoiding the fresh puncture for now.
• Postpone very strenuous activity for the rest of the day if you were feeling unwell before the drip.

If you had a drip for dehydration, our guide to dehydration in Thailand has more tips on staying topped up in the heat.

Keep hydrating: a drip is a top-up, not a reset

A drip gives your body fluid and nutrients directly, but you keep sweating and passing urine afterwards. If you go straight back into the midday sun without drinking, you can soon end up where you started.

Keep sipping water through the rest of the day, and use oral rehydration salts if you are sweating heavily. If you find you keep running low on fluids in the heat, the Hydration Boost drip combines 1 litre of electrolyte fluids with vitamin B complex and magnesium, and many guests use it as a top-up after long, hot days.

Can you drink alcohol after an IV drip?

It is sensible to hold off on alcohol after a drip, at least for the rest of the day, and to keep drinking water. Alcohol makes you pass more urine, which works against the fluids you have just had, and if you had a drip to recover from a big night, your body will thank you for the break.

If you were given any medicine as part of the drip, such as anti-nausea medicine or pain relief, your nurse will tell you if there is any particular reason to avoid alcohol. When you do head to a sunset bar, alternate each drink with a glass of water.

Bruise after IV drip: is it normal?

Yes. A small bruise around the puncture site is common, especially if your veins are small, you bruise easily, or the cannula needed more than one attempt. It may change colour from purple to yellow-green as it heals, and usually fades on its own over several days to a couple of weeks.

A cool compress wrapped in a cloth can make a tender bruise more comfortable. A bruise that keeps spreading, or a hard, painful lump along the vein, is worth getting checked.

Your simple IV drip aftercare checklist

After a drip, most people feel ready to get on with their day. Keep the site clean and dry for a little while, wait until it has sealed before swimming, hold off on alcohol, and keep drinking water. Your nurse will give you aftercare advice before leaving, and you can find more common questions on our FAQ page or read about each step on our how it works page.

Frequently asked questions