Myers' cocktail

Myers' cocktail is an intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy. It lacks much scientific evidence to support its use as a medical treatment.^[1] The term, Myers' cocktail, is included in Quackwatch's index of questionable treatments.^[2]

The name is attributed to Baltimore physician John A. Myers. Prior to his death in 1984, Myers allegedly had administered vitamin infusions to patients.^[3] Despite claims to the contrary, the original formula is unknown; the current "Myers' cocktail" recipe was published by a physician, Alan Gaby, who took on many of Myers' patients after he died.^[3]

Naturopaths and other practitioners of pseudoscientific medicine in the United States and Canada often administer the IV drip in clinics and health spas.^[4][5][6]

In 2018, the US Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against a peddler of Myers' cocktails and other IV treatments for making false health claims.^[7]

See also

• Intravenous ascorbic acid
• Detoxification in alternative medicine
• Vitamin C megadosage

References

1. Ellin, Abby (2014-12-24). "IV Drips Touted as Hangover Relief". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
2. Barrett, S (2011-03-24). "Index of Questionable Treatments". Quackwatch. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
3. "A closer look at vitamin injections". sciencebasedmedicine.org. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
4. Gorski, David (24 September 2018). "The FTC cracks down on iV Bars for false advertising claims about its "intravenous micronutrient therapy"". Science-based Medicine. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
5. Verner, Amy (12 July 2010). "Run-down execs and celebs embrace the vitamin drip". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
6. Kirkey, Sharon (21 July 2015). "Hooking up to an IV drip is the latest health fad, but critics say there is little proof it works". National Post. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
7. "FTC Brings First-ever Action Targeting "iV Cocktail" Therapy Marketer". Federal Trade Commission. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2022.