IV Hydration Therapy

This Statement of Philosophy is offered as guidance for medical, osteopathic, and podiatric physicians and physician associates.

IV Hydration Therapy is a rapidly expanding form of medical treatment in the state of Oregon and across the country. Typically, this treatment involves patients receiving a predetermined mixture of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, or prescription drugs such as Toradol, Pepcid, and Zofran. These mixtures are tailored to address dehydration, migraines, hangovers, nausea, athletic recovery, appetite regulation, inflammation, and more. Despite its growing popularity, there is a relative lack of regulation governing this treatment. The Oregon Medical Board acknowledges these gaps and, with the mission of protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Oregonians, desires to inform licensees of the appropriate practice of medical treatment in the context of IV Hydration Therapy.

IV Hydration Therapy is considered the practice of medicine, as defined by ORS 677.085. Therefore, OMB licensees must ensure that all IV Hydration Therapy treatments adhere to the same standards of care as any other medical treatments in the state of Oregon, as described in ORS 677.095. IV Hydration Therapy may fall within the scope of practice of other healthcare professions, so providers should consult all applicable regulatory boards for guidance.

Prescription drugs are often administered during IV Hydration Therapy. When prescribing medications, OMB licensees must adhere to applicable laws, including OAR 847-015-0025 and OAR 847-050-0041.

OMB licensees must refrain from delegating any part of the diagnosing, obtaining informed consent, prescribing, treating, and documenting process to personnel who are not properly licensed, trained, or qualified to perform these tasks. Licensees functioning as medical directors over IV Hydration Therapy clinics must avoid issuing standing orders that allow untrained or unqualified personnel to practice medicine or operate outside of their scope of practice.

Additionally, licensees must ensure that any person or business engaged in the dispensing, delivery or distribution of compounded drugs in Oregon possesses the required Oregon Board of Pharmacy drug outlet registration(s) and complies with corresponding regulations, including those found in OAR 855-45 Drug Compounding. Those that do not require registration with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy should be well educated in compounding practices and follow established guidelines and standards such as those found in USP <795> and/or USP <797>.

Above all, licensees must prioritize their patients, ensuring that treatments are safe, lawful, and effective.