NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme involved in energy production in cells and is present in every cell; its level is thought to fall with age, but in humans this decline has been shown consistently in only a limited number of studies 1. NAD+ IV therapy is the administration of this molecule through a vein. The intravenous route delivers the molecule directly into the circulation, bypassing the digestive step; this is a difference in speed, not a guarantee of benefit. Clinical outcome data are still limited, and I say so plainly.
Administering drugs and fluids through a vein is the foundation of anaesthesiology training; I practise these treatments within that framework. I do not market NAD+ as a youth molecule; human data are limited, and I write that plainly. The general framework of IV therapy, its difference from tablets and its evidence status are on the IV therapy page.
What does NAD+ do in the body?
NAD+ works as an electron carrier in the cell’s production of energy from food; it is one of the core molecules of cellular metabolism 1. A small pilot study in healthy men showed that during the first two hours of the infusion NAD+ did not rise in plasma, being taken up by tissues or broken down, and that only later did its plasma level and breakdown products increase; clinical outcomes were not measured 2. Study 2 was carried out by authors connected with a clinic that provides IV NAD+; it was funded by a research organisation in this field, and the product was supplied free of charge. It has not yet been shown in humans that intravenous NAD+ raises NAD+ levels inside cells.
I do not draw from this the conclusion that “giving NAD+ repairs cells, repairs DNA, reverses ageing”. A mechanism at the cellular level and a clinical outcome in humans are different things; the latter has not yet been shown.
Intravenous or tablet?
Oral NAD+ precursors (such as NMN and NR) are processed in the gut and liver; human studies have found their efficacy to be limited 1. NAD+ given intravenously enters the circulation directly, bypassing the digestive step; a session takes 90–120 minutes. This does not mean the intravenous route is clinically better than the oral one; I have not found a study comparing the two routes for clinical outcomes. In my practice I consider the intravenous route for a start and oral precursors for maintenance; intermittent intravenous treatment can also be planned for maintenance when needed. This is a preference, not evidence.
When do I consider it?
The situations I assess in my practice: brain-fog complaints accompanied by fatigue and low energy; recovery after a long demanding period or convalescence; within a healthy-ageing (longevity) approach, together with blood tests and examination. What I consistently observe in these pictures in clinical practice is an improvement in the burden of fatigue and in mental clarity; I write this as experience, not as a promise.
In brain-fog complaints, the decision depends on the picture: when fatigue and low energy accompany it, NAD+ comes to the fore; when difficulty focusing and recalling is the main issue, citicoline does. They can be planned in sequence when needed. The final choice is made at consultation.
Citicoline is explained on its own page: citicoline IV therapy. I do not plan NAD+ to treat weight or chronic disease.
Being honest about the level of evidence
The role of NAD+ in cellular energy metabolism is well defined in basic science; however, human data on how NAD+ levels behave in tissues are sparse, and clinical trials with oral precursors have found limited efficacy 1. How intravenous NAD+ behaves in humans has been examined in a small pilot study, which did not measure clinical outcomes 2. There is no controlled trial showing a clinical effect of intravenous NAD+ on fatigue, cognitive function or ageing. Alongside studies reporting improvement there are studies reporting limited benefit; I do not give unsourced percentages. I give NAD+ within this evidence framework, setting expectations accordingly.
The procedure and pain management
Topical anaesthetic cream is standard. Because I am an anaesthesiologist, I treat pain management as a separate part of the procedure.
I plan venous access and the infusion as part of this; what you feel is a brief sting as the line is placed.
Aftercare
Same day
- You can return to daily life; you can drive
- Drink plenty of water
Expected findings A small bruise at the venous access site may last 1–2 days. If redness, warmth or swelling develops at the access site, contact the clinic.
Additional advice
- A temporary feeling of pressure or warmth during the infusion passes when it ends
Safety and anatomy
Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
Product documentation: Every NAD+ product I work with comes with its own documentation showing the production process and the analysis results; I work only with products of a purity suitable for intravenous use. I do not work with a product that has no documentation. My clinic is routinely inspected by the district health directorate of the Ministry of Health and is inspected separately under its health tourism authorisation certificate. The products I use are recorded.
Who is not suitable
Treatment is not performed, or is postponed, in the following situations:
- Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- Autoimmune disease in an active phase
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Known hypersensitivity to the product components
- Uncontrolled chronic illness
- Untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use
I do not perform these treatments during active cancer treatment. For a person with a history of cancer, I make the decision together with the treating specialist.
In intravenous treatments, with heart or kidney failure the decision is made at consultation, with fluid load in mind.
With uncontrolled high blood pressure or a heart rhythm disorder, the decision is made at consultation.
Without being a medical contraindication, I also consider expectation and treatment to be mismatched in these situations:
- People without complaints who want regular infusions
- People expecting a lasting result from a single session
- People who want to stop their current treatment — follow-up with the relevant specialty continues
Suitability is determined by consultation in every case.
Pricing
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Frequently asked questions
What is NAD+?
It is a coenzyme involved in energy production in cells and is present in every cell. Its level is thought to fall with age, but in humans this decline has been shown consistently in only a limited number of studies. Given intravenously, it enters the circulation directly, bypassing the digestive step.
Why intravenous NAD+ instead of a tablet (NMN/NR)?
The intravenous route bypasses the digestive step; a session takes 90–120 minutes. This is a difference in speed; I have not found a study comparing the two routes for clinical outcomes. I consider the intravenous route for a start and oral precursors for maintenance; intermittent intravenous treatment can also be planned for maintenance when needed.
When is the effect of NAD+ IV therapy felt?
It varies from person to person; some people report a difference on the day of treatment, some after several treatments, and some report no difference. I do not give unsourced timeframes.
Can NAD+ IV therapy be given with a history of cancer?
I do not perform these treatments during active cancer treatment. For a person with a history of cancer, I make the decision together with the treating specialist.
Planning your visit
My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.
For NAD+ IV therapy I suggest planning a stay of two to three days: arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Because this treatment may be planned as more than one session, it may require more than one visit. The first session takes place in Istanbul, and we plan the schedule of any following sessions together according to your travel arrangements, with remote follow-up in between. Flying is generally appropriate 24 hours after an injectable treatment.
Consultations are conducted in English. Follow-up after you return home is arranged remotely, and I remain reachable for any questions during the period in which the result develops.
You can read how I offer this treatment at my clinic, IV Point, on the NAD+ IV therapy page.
Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin — Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Diploma Registration No: 113606
Published: 22 February 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-21 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.
References
- Vinten KT, Trętowicz MM, Coskun E, et al. NAD+ precursor supplementation in human ageing: clinical evidence and challenges. Nat Metab. 2025;7(10):1974–1990. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41083806/
- Grant R, Berg J, Mestayer R, et al. A pilot study investigating changes in the human plasma and urine NAD+ metabolome during a 6 hour intravenous infusion of NAD+. Front Aging Neurosci. 2019;11:257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31572171/ — One author is medical director of a clinic that provides IV NAD+ and a director of the organisation that funded the study; one author received consulting fees from that organisation; the product was supplied free of charge (the article’s conflict-of-interest statement and acknowledgements).