Mariana, 34 years old, saw on a influencer's stories that there was a "beauty serum" capable of making skin more beautiful, providing more energy and "detoxifying" the body in a few minutes. She booked the procedure on the same day, without tests, without prior medical consultation and without knowing exactly what she was receiving in her vein. This case is illustrative and does not represent a real patient, but reflects an increasingly common situation in medical offices.

"The data and clinical case cited in this article are fictitious and are purely illustrative in purpose, serving to facilitate understanding of the topic addressed."

Serotherapy, also called intravenous vitamin therapy, has become all the rage on social media. It promises everything: more immunity, more energy, hangover recovery, weight loss, more beautiful skin. But what does the scientific evidence show about this? And, most importantly, what are the real risks of undergoing this procedure without medical indication?

What is serotherapy, after all?

Serotherapy is the infusion of solutions containing vitamins, minerals and other compounds directly into the vein, through a venous access. In legitimate medical practice, it has existed for decades and has well-defined indications: patients with intestinal malabsorption syndromes, people who have undergone bariatric surgery, cases of severe dehydration or severe nutritional deficiencies documented by tests.

The problem is not serotherapy itself. The problem is its use outside these indications, as a wellness product sold to any healthy person who wants to "boost" their body.

What science finds when it investigates the promises

Here is the most important point of this text: recent literature reviews show that, for the vast majority of healthy people, intravenous infusion of vitamins is not superior to oral supplementation. In other words, the body absorbs and uses nutrients very well when they come via the mouth, as long as the intestine is functioning normally.

This means that, in the absence of a proven deficiency, putting these substances directly into the vein does not bring an additional benefit that justifies the risk of the procedure. The aesthetic appeal and the discourse of "immediate results" do not have the same support in studies.

The real risks of puncturing a vein without necessity

Every venous access is an open door to the body, and this has consequences when done outside a controlled environment:

Infections. Any venous puncture exposes the person to the risk of local infection or, in more serious cases, generalised infection in the bloodstream, especially when the procedure does not follow rigorous aseptic standards.

Severe allergic reactions. Infusing multiple substances at the same time increases the chance of significant allergic reactions, including anaphylactic episodes, which can be fatal if there is no emergency care facility at the location.

Hypervitaminosis and toxicity. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K, accumulate in the body. High doses applied intravenously can lead to toxicity, burdening the kidneys and liver. There are already reports in the literature of vitamin B12 hypervitaminosis, vitamin D toxicity and hypercalcaemia associated with this type of practice.

Cardiovascular overload. Rapid infusion of large volumes of fluid can overload the heart and kidneys, a risk particularly serious for those who already have some cardiac or renal condition, often unknown to the person themselves.

What medical boards say

Professional medical regulatory bodies have already taken a position on the subject. A recent ruling from a Regional Medical Board highlights that the prescription of parenteral solutions of vitamins, minerals and nutritional compounds should only occur in the face of real proven necessity, whether due to formal contraindication to the oral route or documented failure of oral replacement. Outside this scenario, the practice raises ethical questions and may constitute irregular practice of the profession when performed without this careful assessment.

How to know if you really need it

The answer always lies in individualised medical assessment. Before any intravenous nutrient therapy, you must have:

  • Complete medical consultation, with history and physical examination
  • Laboratory tests that prove the specific deficiency
  • Rule out contraindications, such as kidney or heart problems
  • Confirm that the oral route is not sufficient or possible in your case

If none of these criteria are present, the procedure ceases to be therapeutic and becomes merely an unnecessary risk sold as a wellness trend.

Taking care of your body does not need shortcuts

Energy, immunity and vitality have much simpler explanations and are supported by evidence: adequate sleep, balanced diet, oral hydration, regular physical activity and medical follow-up to investigate persistent symptoms. When something promises quick and universal results for anyone, it is always worth being suspicious and asking: does this have scientific support or just a good marketing strategy?

This content is educational and informative in nature, not replacing individualised medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek a qualified healthcare professional to assess your specific case.