Vit Hit Irish doctor slams risky Brown Thomas IV 'pseudo-science' vitamin drip service

Brown Thomas’ new IV vitamin drip service is risky and based on “pseudo-science”, an Irish doctor has said.

The department store is offering an entire menu of vitamin drips and injections at its new Dundrum outlet which promise to “give your body a boost” by “correcting vitamin deficiencies” and “ensuring general wellbeing.”

Prices range from €35 for a Vitamin B12 energy shot to a Limitless Drip for €950, with specialised drips for anti-ageing, fitness, and hair health also available.

But Dr Trish Horgan from the Broadlane Family Practice in County Cork said that the service doesn’t seem to be based on science.

“I’m not aware of any evidence that would support the use of these drips in any shape or form,” she said.

“Certainly, this would appear to be pseudo-science. I’m not aware of any evidence that would show that this prevents aging or slows down aging.”

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, she said that the service poses a lot of risks.

“I suppose, first and foremost, my concern is the concept that someone who is feeling unwell would seek the answers to their problems in a department store rather than contacting their family doctor,” she explained.

“There is a risk of significant diagnoses – like a cancer or a heart disease diagnosis – being missed.

“So, my advice is, if someone is feeling unwell, they should attend their GP where someone who knows your history and your medications will carry out an examination and, if needs be, carry out blood tests.

“The second issue I have around it is the risks of the procedure itself. The risk of actually injecting a substance into someone’s vein.

“This is something we rarely do in the community and rarely do in general practice even. Very often is it only done in an emergency setting.”

Dr Horgan added that there are more efficient ways of staying healthy and getting vitamins into our bodies.

“We know that hydration is important and this is something people can achieve by drinking plenty of water.

“Vitamins and minerals we can absorb through our gut by taking them in by mouth, by taking a balanced diet of vegetables and fruit. Lifestyle is important. Maintaining exercise is the most important anti-aging process that we can engage in as far as I am aware.”