How to Prepare for Your First NAD+ Infusion

NAD+ infusions feel different from a standard vitamin or hydration drip. They take longer, and the sensations during the infusion can surprise people who are not expecting them. A little preparation makes your first session calmer and more comfortable.

Short answer: eat a light meal and drink water beforehand, bring your medication list, wear comfortable layers and plan for a longer appointment than a standard drip. During the infusion you may feel chest pressure, nausea, cramping or flushing if the rate is too fast; telling your nurse lets them slow it down, which usually eases symptoms within minutes.

Before you book

• Read about what NAD+ can and cannot do in our NAD+ IV therapy guide and NAD+ benefits and research.
• Think about your goals so you can discuss them during your health screen.
• Consider starting with 250 mg. See NAD+ dosage: 250 mg versus 500 mg.
• Let us know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have heart, kidney or liver disease, or are receiving cancer treatment.

The day before

• Drink water regularly. Well-hydrated veins are easier to access.
• Go easy on alcohol.
• Get a good night’s sleep if you can.

On the day

Eat

Have a light meal with some protein and carbohydrates one to two hours before. An empty stomach makes nausea and light-headedness more likely.

Wear

A top with sleeves that roll up easily, plus a cardigan or sweater. Some people feel warm during NAD+, others feel cool.

Bring

• Your list of medications and supplements, including any NMN, NR or niacin
• A book, headphones or a device; a phone charger helps on a longer visit
• A water bottle

Plan your time

NAD+ is infused slowly, so your appointment will be noticeably longer than a standard drip, and 500 mg takes longer than 250 mg. Avoid booking anything tight straight afterwards. Our article on how long an IV drip takes covers timing in more detail.

What you may feel during the infusion

NAD+ has a distinctive pattern of rate-related sensations:

• Chest tightness or pressure
• Nausea or stomach cramping
• Flushing or warmth
• Headache, jaw or muscle tension
• A sense of restlessness or unease

These usually ease within minutes when the infusion is slowed. Your nurse will check in regularly, but please speak up straight away. There is no benefit to pushing through discomfort, and a slower rate is the norm, not a failure.

Tell your nurse immediately about any pain or swelling at the IV site, shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat or feeling faint.

Afterwards

• Rest for a few minutes before leaving.
• Most people can drive home and return to normal activities.
• Some feel tired for the rest of the day, some feel clearer, and some notice no difference. Responses vary.
• Keep drinking water and eat a normal meal.
• Note how you felt during and after, so you and your practitioner can decide on next steps together.

Contact us if you notice spreading redness or swelling at the IV site or develop a fever. Call 911 for chest pain that does not settle, difficulty breathing or fainting.

Questions people often ask on their first visit

Many people wonder whether NAD+ can be combined with other drips, how often to return and whether supplements are still useful. Your practitioner will answer these at your screen. You may also find NMN versus NR versus NAD+ and NAD+ injections versus IV helpful.

Who should wait before booking an NAD+ infusion

An NAD+ infusion is a wellness treatment, so screening comes first. You may be asked to wait, or offered a different option, if any of these apply:

• You are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding.
• You have active cancer or are within treatment, until your oncology team has been consulted.
• You have a heart condition, chest pain on exertion or poorly controlled blood pressure.
• You have significant liver or kidney disease.
• You are currently unwell with a fever or infection.
• You have unexplained fatigue that has not been tested yet.

None of these means you can never have NAD+, but each one deserves a conversation before an IV is placed.

Questions to ask at your screening

• Which dose are you suggesting for my first visit, and why?
• How slowly will it run, and how long should I plan to be in the chair?
• What sensations are common, and what should I report right away?
• Can I stop or slow the infusion if I feel uncomfortable?
• Should I pause any supplements beforehand?
• How will we decide whether a second session makes sense?

Your first 48 hours afterwards, step by step

1. Rest briefly before you leave. Stand up slowly and let the nurse check the IV site and how you feel.
2. Eat a normal meal. Many people feel more settled after food.
3. Drink water through the day. There is no need to force large amounts.
4. Keep the evening light. Some people feel energized, others feel tired. Plan nothing strenuous until you know how you respond.
5. Look at the IV site the next morning. A small bruise is common. Spreading redness, warmth, swelling or pain should be reported.
6. Jot down a few notes. Sleep, energy, mood and any side effects over two days help guide the next decision.

What the research does not cover yet

There is little published research on what first-time recipients typically feel during an NAD+ infusion, how quickly the rate can be increased safely for different people, or whether effects build over several sessions. Most of what clinicians know about the experience comes from practice, which is why infusions start slowly and are adjusted to how you feel in the moment. Questions about long-term benefit and the right number of sessions are still open.

While you weigh an infusion, daily habits still matter. Read natural ways to support NAD+ for the basics, and IV drip side effects for a broader look at what can happen with any drip. Your infusion takes place in a private, calm room at our Woodbridge clinic on Highway 7, a short drive from Vaughan and Richmond Hill, with a nurse nearby throughout.

A last practical note: bring something calm to do. NAD+ infusions run slowly, and many people find that a book, a podcast with headphones or simply resting with their eyes closed makes the time pass comfortably. Phones and laptops are fine too, as long as the arm with the IV can stay relaxed and still.

Ready for your first NAD+ session? Learn about NAD+ IV therapy in Woodbridge or call 905-207-7000 to book at AuraWell Health, 4600 Hwy 7, Unit 105, Woodbridge, ON L4L 4Y7, serving Vaughan and Richmond Hill.