Curious about NAD IV therapy but not excited about a long infusion that ties up half your day?
Niagen IV offers a different way to support NAD+ levels with less time in the chair. This guide compares Niagen with traditional NAD IV, so you can see how they differ in time, comfort, outcomes, and cost.
What Is NAD IV Therapy?
NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme in every cell that helps turn food into energy and supports DNA repair. NAD IV therapy delivers NAD+ directly into the bloodstream through a slow drip and is commonly used by people seeking better energy, improved mental clarity, and healthy aging support.
Once in circulation, however, the NAD+ molecule itself is too large to enter cells in its intact form. To be utilised, it must first be broken down into smaller precursor molecules before crossing the cell membrane. This additional processing step may contribute to increased inflammatory biomarkers and a higher likelihood of side effects for some individuals.
What Is Niagen IV?
Niagen IV uses nicotinamide riboside chloride, also known as NR or Niagen, which is a form of vitamin B3 and a direct precursor to NAD. Rather than requiring breakdown in the bloodstream, your cells pull NR directly inside and convert it into NAD through normal pathways. Studies show this direct intracellular conversion does not increase inflammatory biomarkers, making NRC one of the most efficient and effective ways to support healthy NAD+ levels in the body.
As Lori Gagne, MPAS, PA-C, medical director at Optimized Health, explains, “If you are doing 500 of NAD IV, it can take four hours; you can get it in under an hour with Niagen with better levels, and there are a lot of benefits.”
Differences in Time, Comfort, and Outcomes
How Long Does NAD IV Therapy Take?
Traditional NAD IV drips are slow. A single 500 mg infusion often takes around four hours or longer if side effects appear and the nurse has to slow the rate.
In the first randomised pilot study that directly compared Niagen IV and NAD IV, Niagen IV finished much faster. Infusion time was up to 75% shorter than NAD IV, and many people completed Niagen IV in under an hour.
Side Effects: Niagen IV vs. NAD IV
NAD IV: Commonly Reported Side Effects
- Flushing
- Warmth
- Nausea
- Chest tightness
- Heavy feeling in the stomach
- Discomfort that often requires slowing the drip
Niagen IV: Commonly Reported Side Effects
- Tingling around the mouth or hands
- Coolness at the IV site or in the limbs
- Mild sensations that typically remain comfortable
- No rise in white blood cell counts in the pilot study
The Impact Each Option Has on NAD Levels
Both therapies aim to raise NAD, but the pattern differs because Niagen IV uses NR so your cells can build NAD from the inside. In the pilot study, a single 500 mg Niagen IV increased blood NAD by about 20 percent at three hours, and levels stayed above baseline days later.
In that same trial, NAD IV raised NAD more slowly and showed more signals of immune activation. Current evidence therefore favours Niagen IV for efficient NAD boosting with better comfort in healthy adults, while still acknowledging that larger and longer studies are needed.
Niagen IV Costs and Memberships
NAD IV sessions at larger wellness brands can run over $1000 per drip, which may put frequent visits out of reach for many people.
At Optimized Health, Niagen IV is priced with ongoing wellness in mind. A single Niagen IV treatment costs $850, with package options for those who prefer a planned series of infusions. These packages can also include pre- and post-infusion lab testing, helping patients track progress while spreading costs over time in a more predictable way.
Niagen IV or NAD IV: Which Fits Your Goals?
Both Niagen IV and NAD IV aim to support healthy NAD levels and cellular function, but they take different paths to get there. NAD IV delivers NAD directly into the bloodstream, which some people and providers still choose when they want a traditional, well-known protocol under careful clinical supervision.
Niagen IV focuses on comfort, efficiency, and cellular uptake. It uses nicotinamide riboside as a precursor, supports NAD production inside the cell, and was shown in early research to reach target NAD levels with shorter infusion times and fewer reported side effects. This makes it a strong option for people who prefer a smoother visit that fits more easily into a busy week.
No IV therapy can stand in for the basics of health, such as sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress care. These infusions are best seen as one part of a broader wellness plan, and if you would like to learn more about whether they fit your goals, you can contact Optimized Health at 603-458-4588.