Last updated by the vFlow team.
What is in a hydration drip?
A hydration drip is based on a bag of sterile fluid, such as saline or a balanced electrolyte solution, given into a vein through a cannula. Depending on the drip, it may also include added electrolytes or vitamins such as B vitamins or vitamin C. It usually runs for 30 to 60 minutes.
Why do people book a drip after a night out?
Hydration drips are popular for rehydration after a big weekend. People often book them:
- The day after a wedding, party or celebration.
- On the morning after a hen or stag night, as a group.
- After a festival or a weekend away.
- As a chance to sit down, rest and rehydrate before travelling home.
Will an IV drip cure a hangover?
No. A drip does not remove alcohol from your body or speed up how your liver processes it, and there is no cure for a hangover. Many people like a hydration drip as a way to rehydrate, but plenty of water, rest and food will also help, and time is the only thing that clears alcohol.
Can I have an IV drip if I have been drinking?
We will not treat anyone who is still under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol affects your judgement and your ability to give informed consent, and it can change how your body responds to treatment. Your practitioner will ask about recent drinking as part of your checks on the day and will not go ahead if you appear intoxicated.
Also let us know about any medicines you have taken. Alcohol can interact with many medicines, including some painkillers, sleeping tablets, antidepressants and antihistamines, and anyone who has taken recreational drugs should not have a drip.
When is it an emergency?
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency and needs hospital care, not an IV drip at home or in a clinic. Call 999 if someone has been drinking and:
- Is confused, very drowsy or cannot be woken.
- Is being sick repeatedly, especially while drowsy.
- Has slow or irregular breathing.
- Has pale, cold or blue-tinged skin.
- Has a seizure (fit).
Is a drip a way to drink more safely?
No. A drip does not make drinking safer or protect you from the effects of alcohol. The UK Chief Medical Officers advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week, spreading drinks over several days and having some alcohol-free days. If you are worried about your drinking, your GP can help.
Can we book a group or mobile session?
Yes. You can add more than one person to a booking, which suits hen and stag groups, wedding parties and friends away for the weekend. Everyone completes their own health screening and has their own suitability check on the day.
You can visit our Preston clinic, or we can come to you with a mobile session at a home, holiday let or hotel where the venue allows it, across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, including Preston, Blackpool and Manchester. A travel fee may apply, and you pay a deposit to secure your booking.
Frequently asked questions
Does an IV drip cure a hangover?
No. A drip does not remove alcohol or speed up how your body processes it. Hydration drips are popular for rehydration after a big weekend, but they are not a hangover cure.
Can I have an IV drip while I am still drunk?
No. We will not treat anyone who is still under the influence of alcohol. Your practitioner checks this on the day and will not go ahead if you appear intoxicated.
Can you do IV drips for a hen or stag party?
Yes. You can book a group session, including mobile sessions in Preston, Blackpool, Manchester and across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Everyone is screened and checked individually.
What should I do if someone has drunk too much?
If someone is confused, cannot be woken, is being sick repeatedly, has slow or irregular breathing or has a seizure, call 999. Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency.
What is in a hydration drip?
Sterile fluid such as saline or a balanced electrolyte solution, sometimes with added electrolytes or vitamins. It is given into a vein and usually runs for 30 to 60 minutes.
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Ready to book?
Every vFlow treatment starts with a health screening and a suitability check. You pay a deposit to book, and it is refunded in full if a treatment is not suitable for you.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Clinical content review pending.