Physician-led intravenous fluid replacement at Florida’s only Joint Commission-accredited urgent care. Saline, Lactated Ringer’s, and dextrose-based IV hydration — 100% bioavailable, physician-ordered, effective within minutes. Serving Miami Beach, Surfside, and Bal Harbour since 2025.
In-clinic IV hydration available same day. Mobile IV hydration available across South Florida.
IV hydration is the direct delivery of sterile isotonic fluids — normal saline, Lactated Ringer’s, or dextrose solution — into the bloodstream via an intravenous catheter. Unlike oral rehydration, IV fluids bypass the gut entirely and achieve 100% bioavailability within minutes, making them the gold standard for moderate-to-severe dehydration, heat illness, vomiting, and acute illness with poor oral intake. At TrufaMED in Surfside, every IV hydration session is physician-ordered, CLIA-compliant, and begins with a brief clinical assessment.
IV hydration — formally, intravenous fluid replacement therapy — is the administration of a sterile fluid solution directly into the venous circulation. A registered nurse or physician places a small IV catheter, typically in the forearm or antecubital vein, and attaches a bag of electrolyte solution that drips by gravity or pump over 30 to 60 minutes.
When you drink water or an electrolyte beverage, absorption depends on intestinal transit, mucosal integrity, and active transport mechanisms. In the setting of vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or severe dehydration, oral absorption is unreliable and slow. IV fluids bypass all of this entirely. The solution enters the bloodstream immediately, plasma volume expands, blood pressure stabilizes, and kidneys begin excreting the excess as normal urine — usually within 20 minutes of initiating the infusion.
At TrufaMED, every IV hydration infusion is a physician-ordered medical procedure. A provider reviews your chief complaint, vital signs, and hydration status before selecting the fluid type, volume, and rate. This is not a wellness lounge — it is a Joint Commission-accredited clinical setting with the same standard of care as a hospital emergency room, without the four-hour wait.
Bioavailability refers to the fraction of an administered substance that reaches systemic circulation in an active form. Oral supplements, vitamins, and electrolyte drinks achieve 10–50% bioavailability depending on the compound. Intravenous delivery achieves 100% by definition — there is no first-pass metabolism, no gut absorption variability, and no delay. For patients with acute dehydration, this is the difference between hours of misery and 45 minutes of clinical relief.
Every IV hydration drip starts with one of three FDA-approved crystalloid solutions. The choice depends on clinical presentation, electrolyte status, and the patient’s underlying condition. TrufaMED physicians select the appropriate base at the time of your assessment.
Normal saline (NS) contains 154 mEq/L of sodium and 154 mEq/L of chloride — closely matching the osmolarity of human plasma at approximately 308 mOsm/L. This isotonic composition means it does not shift water across cell membranes, making it the safest universal choice for rapid volume expansion.
Normal saline is the standard first-line fluid for hypovolemia, hemorrhage, and sepsis in hospital emergency departments, and the default base for basic IV rehydration at TrufaMED. Most add-on vitamins and medications — B-complex, magnesium, anti-nausea medications — are mixed into NS bags.
Lactated Ringer’s (LR) is a balanced crystalloid solution that more closely resembles the composition of human plasma than normal saline. It contains sodium, potassium, calcium, and lactate — a bicarbonate precursor that the liver converts to bicarbonate, providing mild buffering capacity against metabolic acidosis.
For patients with significant dehydration — from prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, heat exhaustion, or gastroenteritis — LR is often the superior choice because it replaces the full spectrum of electrolytes lost in body fluids, not just sodium and chloride. TrufaMED’s Rehydrate+ drip uses a Lactated Ringer’s base with B-complex vitamins.
D5W contains 50 grams of dextrose (glucose) per liter of sterile water. Once infused, the glucose is rapidly metabolized by cells, leaving free water that distributes across both intracellular and extracellular compartments. D5W is not a volume expander in the same sense as saline — its free-water effect is used for specific clinical purposes.
Clinical uses include hypoglycemia correction, medication dilution (many IV antibiotics are mixed in D5W), and providing minimal caloric support in patients who cannot take oral nutrition. D5W is not used for routine rehydration or volume replacement — it does not effectively expand plasma volume the way isotonic crystalloids do.
IV hydration is not a wellness luxury — it is a medically necessary intervention in specific clinical presentations. The following conditions reliably indicate that oral rehydration has failed or will fail, and intravenous fluid replacement is the appropriate standard of care.
Gastroenteritis and acute food poisoning cause rapid fluid and electrolyte loss through vomiting, diarrhea, or both. When patients cannot keep fluids down or losses are exceeding intake, oral rehydration is physiologically impossible. IV hydration restores plasma volume, normalizes electrolytes, and — when combined with anti-nausea medication — breaks the cycle of vomiting within 30 to 60 minutes in the majority of cases.
South Florida’s climate creates genuine heat illness risk, particularly during outdoor events, exercise, or prolonged sun exposure. Heat exhaustion involves significant fluid and sodium depletion from sweating. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency with core body temperature above 104°F. IV isotonic fluids — typically normal saline or Lactated Ringer’s — are the first-line treatment. Severe heat stroke requires 911 and emergency care. Heat exhaustion with intact consciousness and normal mentation is appropriate for urgent care IV management.
Athletes, marathon runners, and cyclists can lose 2–3 liters of fluid per hour in extreme heat. When post-exercise dehydration exceeds 5% of body weight, or when symptoms include confusion, vomiting, or inability to retain fluids, IV hydration is appropriate. Standard post-workout IV protocols use 1 liter of normal saline or Lactated Ringer’s, sometimes combined with magnesium and B-vitamins. TrufaMED’s IV therapy menu includes sport-oriented protocols.
Alcohol is a potent diuretic that suppresses antidiuretic hormone (ADH), causing the kidneys to excrete water at an accelerated rate. A night of heavy drinking can produce a fluid deficit of 1 to 2 liters. The headache, nausea, and fatigue of a hangover are largely the physiological consequences of this dehydration combined with electrolyte depletion and acetaldehyde toxicity. TrufaMED’s Hangover Recovery IV ($285) delivers 1 liter of normal saline plus anti-nausea medication, B-vitamins, and liver-support nutrients.
Patients with high fever, severe sore throat, influenza, COVID-19, or other acute illnesses frequently present with inadequate oral fluid intake because swallowing is painful, appetite is suppressed, or nausea prevents eating or drinking. IV hydration in this context serves two purposes: direct volume replacement and a vehicle for delivering medications (anti-pyretics, anti-nausea agents, electrolytes) with immediate bioavailability. TrufaMED’s on-site urgent care team can evaluate your illness and determine the appropriate IV protocol in a single visit.
Certain medications — diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide), and chemotherapy agents — can cause significant fluid depletion as a side effect. Patients on these medications sometimes require IV hydration support, particularly during the dose titration phase or during concurrent illness. A physician assessment will determine the appropriate volume and electrolyte composition based on your current medications and lab values.
Mild dehydration can be managed at home with oral rehydration. The following signs indicate moderate-to-severe dehydration requiring clinical evaluation and likely IV fluid therapy.
Concentrated urine is one of the earliest and most reliable signs of significant dehydration. Urine should be pale yellow. Dark amber or tea-colored urine indicates the kidneys are conserving water and the body is in a state of significant fluid deficit.
Orthostatic hypotension — dizziness upon standing — occurs when plasma volume is insufficient to maintain blood pressure against gravity. If you feel dizzy or unsteady when standing, your volume deficit is likely significant enough to warrant IV therapy.
The heart compensates for low blood volume by increasing rate. A resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) in the setting of known vomiting, diarrhea, or heat exposure is a reliable sign of clinically significant dehydration.
The brain is highly sensitive to osmotic changes. A 2–3% body water deficit produces measurable declines in reaction time, short-term memory, and cognitive performance. Confusion, brain fog, or difficulty following conversations after illness or heat exposure warrants immediate evaluation.
Dry or sticky oral mucosa is a reliable physical examination finding for dehydration. Clinicians also assess skin turgor — the speed at which pinched skin returns to its normal position — as a proxy for total body water. Reduced skin turgor indicates extracellular volume depletion.
Dehydration causes cerebral blood vessel dilation as a compensatory mechanism, producing pain. Persistent headache that does not respond to oral hydration and analgesics, particularly in the context of vomiting or acute illness, often resolves rapidly with IV fluid replacement.
Four physician-designed hydration protocols — each built on a validated fluid base with optional electrolyte and vitamin additions. All prices shown are in-clinic rates at 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside. Mobile IV delivery adds $50 to each protocol.
The foundational hydration protocol. One liter of isotonic normal saline restores plasma volume, corrects mild-to-moderate sodium and chloride depletion, and improves blood pressure and tissue perfusion. Ideal for straightforward dehydration from heat, illness, or inadequate intake. Add-ons available upon physician assessment.
A step up from basic saline. Lactated Ringer’s solution more closely resembles human plasma and replaces the full spectrum of electrolytes lost through vomiting, diarrhea, and sweat. The B-complex addition supports cellular energy metabolism and neurological function — particularly valuable after prolonged illness or alcohol consumption.
The original physician-formulated IV therapy protocol developed by John Myers, MD, in the 1970s. In addition to 1 liter of normal saline, the Myers’ Cocktail delivers magnesium, calcium, B-vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), and high-dose vitamin C directly into the bloodstream. Ideal for patients who want comprehensive hydration plus micronutrient repletion.
Alcohol causes a 1–2 liter fluid deficit through ADH suppression plus significant depletion of B-vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. The Hangover Recovery protocol delivers 1 liter of normal saline, anti-nausea medication (ondansetron or promethazine), B-complex vitamins, magnesium, and glutathione — an endogenous antioxidant that supports hepatic acetaldehyde metabolism. Most patients report symptom resolution within 45 minutes.
Red Light Therapy is included free with every in-clinic IV session. Physician assessment is required before every infusion. Add-ons such as anti-nausea medications, magnesium push, or additional vitamins may be recommended based on your clinical presentation. Pricing confirmed 2026-04-13.
Walk in immediately — no appointment needed — if you have any of the following:
Not every dehydration state requires IV therapy. Mild dehydration — defined as less than 3% body water loss with intact ability to tolerate fluids — responds well to oral rehydration therapy (ORT).
If oral rehydration does not produce symptom improvement within 2–3 hours, come in for a clinical evaluation. A physician will determine whether IV therapy is appropriate based on your current clinical status.
IV hydration is safe for the vast majority of patients. However, certain conditions require physician-modified protocols or make routine IV fluid administration inadvisable without specialist oversight. This is why TrufaMED conducts a clinical assessment before every infusion — not as a formality, but as a genuine patient safety measure.
The most common contraindications and conditions requiring modified protocols include:
This list is not exhaustive. A physician assessment at TrufaMED will identify any patient-specific factors that modify the standard IV hydration protocol. Never self-diagnose the need for IV fluids — a two-minute clinical assessment protects you.
The difference between a $200 IV bag at a clinical facility and the same bag administered by a wellness spa is not the fluid — it is the physician assessment that determines whether that fluid is safe and appropriate for you specifically.
TrufaMED’s board-certified emergency medicine and surgical physicians review your presentation, vital signs, and relevant history before ordering any IV infusion. This is the standard of care. It protects you.
All prices are self-pay rates confirmed April 2026. Most commercial insurance plans are accepted for clinically indicated IV therapy with urgent care evaluation. Call (305) 537-6396 to confirm your coverage before your visit.
| Protocol | Fluid Base | In-Clinic | Mobile (+$50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehydrate | 0.9% Normal Saline | $200 | $250 |
| Rehydrate+ | Lactated Ringer’s + B-Complex | $225 | $275 |
| Myers’ Cocktail | Normal Saline + Vitamins + Minerals | $280 | $330 |
| Hangover Recovery | Normal Saline + Anti-Nausea + Liver Support | $285 | $335 |
Red Light Therapy included free with every in-clinic IV session. Add-ons (anti-nausea medication, magnesium, additional vitamins) priced at time of physician assessment. IV therapy memberships available — see /iv-therapy-memberships/ for details.
TrufaMED offers IV hydration both in the clinic and via mobile IV therapy delivery across South Florida. The right choice depends on your clinical situation, mobility, and location.
| Factor | In-Clinic (Surfside) | Mobile IV (South Florida) |
|---|---|---|
| Physician assessment | ✓ Full on-site evaluation, vitals, exam | ✓ Physician orders remotely, RN assesses on-site |
| Price premium | Base rate | +$50 per protocol (convenience fee) |
| Best for | Urgent dehydration, walk-in evaluation, complex presentations | Hangover, post-event recovery, convenience, hotel visits |
| Lab testing | ✓ On-site CLIA lab available | Requires separate visit for labs |
| Add-on medications | ✓ Full formulary available (anti-nausea, pain, etc.) | Limited to pre-approved add-ons |
| Service area | 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside FL 33154 | Miami Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Sunny Isles, Brickell, and surrounding areas |
| Red Light Therapy (free) | ✓ Included with every session | In-clinic only |
| Booking | Walk-in or book online | Book mobile online |
Answers from TrufaMED’s clinical team — physician-reviewed, medically accurate, and specific to the clinical realities of IV hydration therapy in South Florida.
IV hydration delivers sterile saline or balanced electrolyte solution directly into the venous bloodstream through an IV catheter, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract entirely. Drinking water requires intestinal absorption — a process dependent on gut transit, mucosal health, and active transport that takes 15–60 minutes under normal conditions and may be significantly impaired when you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are severely dehydrated. IV hydration achieves 100% bioavailability immediately and is physician-ordered at TrufaMED, meaning a provider assesses your clinical status, selects the appropriate fluid type and volume, and monitors your response.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is an isotonic crystalloid containing 154 mEq/L each of sodium and chloride — it is the universal default for rapid volume replacement and is safe for nearly all patients. Lactated Ringer’s is a balanced crystalloid that closely resembles plasma composition, adding potassium, calcium, and lactate (a buffer) to the sodium and chloride base — making it the better choice for patients with significant electrolyte losses from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea. D5W (5% dextrose in water) contains glucose and distributes as free water after the glucose is metabolized — it is used for hypoglycemia, medication dilution, and specific clinical purposes but is not a volume expander in the way saline or LR is. TrufaMED physicians select the appropriate fluid base based on your clinical presentation.
A standard 1-liter IV hydration session infuses over approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Total clinic time — check-in, physician assessment, IV placement, infusion, and discharge — is typically 45 to 75 minutes. Faster infusion rates are available for patients with clinically urgent dehydration but require physician approval. Walk-in patients are assessed immediately upon arrival at TrufaMED’s Surfside clinic.
IV hydration administered by trained clinical staff under physician supervision is extremely safe. Documented risks include: local reactions at the IV site (phlebitis, bruising, hematoma) occurring in approximately 2–5% of patients; rare fluid overload in patients with cardiac or renal impairment if volumes are not adjusted; and very rarely, air embolism (prevented by standard IV line priming protocols). At TrufaMED, every IV is placed by a registered nurse under physician orders, using sterile technique. Your vital signs are assessed before and during the infusion. Contraindications — including heart failure and severe renal disease — are screened in the physician assessment conducted before every infusion.
Insurance coverage for IV hydration depends on the clinical indication and your specific plan. When IV hydration is administered as part of an urgent care visit for a documented medical condition — dehydration from gastroenteritis, heat exhaustion, acute illness — it is typically covered under most commercial insurance plans accepted at TrufaMED. Elective wellness IV infusions without a clinical indication are generally not covered by insurance. TrufaMED accepts Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Oscar Health*, Medicare, and self-pay. Call (305) 537-6396 to verify coverage before your visit.
For simple dehydration — from heat, inadequate intake, or mild illness — normal saline is the appropriate first-line choice and is what TrufaMED’s Rehydrate protocol ($200) delivers. For significant dehydration with substantial electrolyte losses — prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or food poisoning — Lactated Ringer’s is often preferred because it replaces the broader electrolyte profile of body fluid losses. The Rehydrate+ ($225) uses a Lactated Ringer’s base with B-complex vitamins. TrufaMED physicians make this selection based on your clinical presentation at the time of assessment, not as a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Yes. Hangover is one of the most common presentations for IV hydration at TrufaMED. Alcohol causes a significant fluid deficit (typically 1–2 liters) through ADH suppression, along with depletion of B-vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. The Hangover Recovery IV ($285) delivers 1 liter of normal saline with anti-nausea medication (ondansetron or promethazine), B-complex, magnesium, and glutathione. Most patients report significant symptom improvement within 30–45 minutes. Walk in or book same-day — no appointment required for urgent presentations.
IV hydration is a primary treatment component for significant food poisoning. Bacterial food poisoning and viral gastroenteritis both cause rapid fluid and electrolyte loss through vomiting and diarrhea. When oral intake is impossible — as is typical in moderate-to-severe food poisoning — IV fluids restore volume and electrolytes while anti-nausea medications break the vomiting cycle. TrufaMED’s Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu IV ($295) includes fluids, anti-nausea medication, and electrolytes in a single protocol. Most patients feel significantly improved by the time the bag finishes.
Yes — and this is by design. Every IV infusion at TrufaMED is physician-ordered. Before any IV is placed, one of our board-certified physicians reviews your presenting symptoms, current vital signs, and relevant medical history, then determines the appropriate fluid type, volume, and infusion rate. This is not a formality — it is a patient safety measure that prevents volume overload in patients with cardiac or renal conditions, identifies clinical presentations that require something other than standard hydration, and ensures you receive the correct electrolyte composition for your specific dehydration pattern. This is what separates a Joint Commission-accredited urgent care from a wellness IV lounge.
At TrufaMED in Surfside, IV hydration starts at $200 for the Rehydrate protocol (1 liter normal saline). Rehydrate+ with Lactated Ringer’s and B-complex is $225. Myers’ Cocktail (hydration plus comprehensive vitamins and minerals) is $280. Hangover Recovery (hydration plus anti-nausea and liver support) is $285. Mobile IV delivery adds $50 to each protocol and is available across South Florida. Most commercial insurance is accepted for clinically indicated IV therapy with an urgent care evaluation. Self-pay rates are transparent and confirmed — no surprise billing.
In-clinic IV hydration at TrufaMED’s Surfside location provides the full clinical environment: physician assessment, on-site labs, complete medication formulary, and free Red Light Therapy included with every session. Mobile IV therapy brings the IV to your location — hotel, home, or event venue — with a registered nurse and physician-ordered protocol. Mobile is ideal for hangover recovery, post-event rehydration, and convenience visits. Complex clinical presentations, patients requiring labs, or patients with potential contraindications should be seen in clinic. Mobile adds $50 to any in-clinic protocol.
Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is the most common fluid used in IV hydration therapy, so the terms are often used interchangeably. However, “IV hydration therapy” can refer to any intravenous crystalloid fluid — normal saline, Lactated Ringer’s, or dextrose solutions — selected based on clinical need. At TrufaMED, IV saline specifically refers to the Rehydrate protocol ($200) using standard isotonic saline. Other hydration protocols use different fluid bases with added vitamins, electrolytes, or medications. The physician selects the right fluid for your clinical presentation.
TrufaMED’s Surfside clinic serves in-clinic IV hydration to residents and visitors across the Miami Beach barrier island corridor. Mobile IV delivery extends across South Florida, including Miami Beach, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Brickell, and beyond. Visit iv-therapy-miami for the full geo-service guide.
Walk in today or book online. Physician-led IV hydration therapy in Surfside — minutes from Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. Same-day walk-in welcome. Mobile IV available across South Florida. Open seven days a week.
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