IV Therapy for Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness/AMS) affects millions of travelers visiting high-altitude destinations each year. IV therapy provides rapid rehydration and antioxidant support to address the dehydration and oxidative stress that drive AMS symptoms — and at altitude, IV delivery is particularly advantageous because gut absorption slows significantly due to reduced blood flow.
Why Altitude Makes You Sick
At high altitude, lower atmospheric oxygen partial pressure reduces the oxygen available to tissues (hypoxia). The body responds with increased respiration (which causes more fluid loss), increased heart rate, and a diuretic hormone response that causes the kidneys to excrete more fluid. The combination of increased respiratory fluid loss, diuresis, and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues causes the classic AMS symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and sleep disturbance. Additionally, hypoxia triggers significant free radical production as cells struggle with reduced oxygen availability — contributing to the inflammatory component of AMS. At altitude, oral rehydration is also less effective because blood flow is preferentially directed to vital organs, reducing gut absorption capacity.
How IV Therapy Addresses Altitude Sickness
IV hydration bypasses the gut entirely, directly restoring blood volume and electrolytes without relying on intestinal absorption. A 1-liter saline infusion with electrolytes can restore the fluid deficit of altitude in 30 minutes — far faster than the 2–3 hours it takes for equivalent oral rehydration to be absorbed and distributed. High-dose IV vitamin C (5,000–10,000mg) provides powerful antioxidant protection against altitude-induced oxidative stress. IV anti-nausea medication (Zofran) can be added to address nausea, allowing patients to rest and recover more comfortably. Mobile IV services in mountain resort towns can reach your hotel or ski lodge within 45–90 minutes.
Best IV Drips for Altitude Sickness
IV Hydration
Directly restores blood volume bypassing impaired gut absorption at altitude. 1L saline + electrolytes in 30 minutes.
Vitamin C
High-dose antioxidant protection against altitude-induced free radical production and hypoxic oxidative stress.
What to Expect
A standard altitude sickness IV session takes 30–45 minutes. For mountain resort towns, mobile IV services typically arrive within 45–90 minutes of booking. The nurse will assess your symptoms and administer the infusion at a comfortable rate. Many patients feel headache relief within 20–30 minutes of starting the infusion. Most feel well enough to resume light activity by the end of the session, though rest is recommended. IV therapy is not a substitute for acclimatization — allow extra time to acclimate if planning high-altitude activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IV therapy help altitude sickness?
Yes — IV therapy addresses the two primary mechanisms of acute mountain sickness (AMS): dehydration and oxidative stress from hypoxia. At high altitude, gut absorption slows significantly due to reduced blood flow to the digestive system, making oral hydration less effective. IV fluids bypass this limitation entirely, rapidly restoring blood volume and electrolyte balance. High-dose IV vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against altitude-induced free radical production.
What altitude causes sickness, and who is at risk?
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) commonly begins at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400m) and affects approximately 25% of people traveling to Denver (5,280 ft), 50% at 11,500 feet, and up to 75% above 14,000 feet. There is no reliable predictor of who will develop AMS — fitness level does not protect you. The best prevention is slow ascent, adequate hydration, and acclimatization time.
When should I get IV therapy for altitude sickness?
For treatment: as soon as symptoms appear — headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness. The sooner you receive IV rehydration, the faster symptoms resolve. For prevention: some travelers get a proactive hydration IV before ascending to high altitude (e.g., before skiing at 12,000 feet or hiking to altitude). IV therapy does not cure altitude sickness caused by severe hypoxia — descent is always required for HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema) or HAPE (pulmonary edema).
Is IV therapy available in mountain resort towns?
Yes — IV therapy is well-established in high-altitude resort towns including Denver, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Breckenridge, Jackson Hole, Park City, and Telluride. Mobile IV services are popular in ski towns because they come directly to your hotel or vacation rental. Many ski resort towns have IV clinics specifically catering to altitude-related symptoms.
What IV drip is best for altitude sickness?
A combination of IV hydration (1L saline with electrolytes) and IV vitamin C (5,000–10,000mg) is the most commonly used protocol for AMS. The saline rapidly restores blood volume affected by altitude-related diuresis, while vitamin C acts as a potent antioxidant against the free radical production triggered by high-altitude hypoxia. Anti-nausea medication (Zofran) can be added for nausea symptoms.