The Real Unit Economics of an In-Clinic IV Menu

Direct Variable Costs per Treatment

Your direct costs include the IV bag, the infusion set, the catheter, and the specific nutrients. Standard saline bags are inexpensive, but high-concentration vitamins and specialty peptides increase the base cost. You must account for every consumable in your pricing model.

• Normal saline or Lactated Ringer bags
• IV administration sets and extension tubing
• Over-the-needle catheters and alcohol prep pads
• Single-dose vials of vitamins or antioxidants
• Medical grade bandages and tegaderm

Labor Costs and Efficiency

Labor is your largest expense after inventory. An RN or LPN must be present for the start and finish of the infusion. If your clinic flow is slow, the cost of that staff member remains fixed while revenue fluctuates. Grouping appointments or using a dedicated IV lounge setup improves these ratios.

• Time for medical history review and vitals
• Setup and vein access time
• Monitoring time during the infusion
• Post-infusion cleanup and documentation

Waste and Inventory Management

Expired inventory is lost profit. Small clinics often over-order specialty nutrients that have short shelf lives. We recommend starting with a core menu of high-turnover ingredients. This reduces capital tied up in sitting stock and minimizes the risk of disposal.

• Track expiration dates monthly
• Focus on 5 to 7 high-demand formulations
• Use multi-dose vials only when patient volume justifies it
• Implement first-in first-out inventory protocols

The Role of Add-On Injectables

IM injections like B12 or Lipotropic compounds have higher margins than full IV bags. They require less room time and fewer supplies. Using these as add-ons to existing services increases the average ticket size without significantly increasing labor costs.

Scaling Your IV Revenue

Profitability increases when you transition from one-off drips to membership models. Recurring revenue covers your fixed clinic overhead. This allows the variable profit from IV services to contribute directly to your bottom line. We provide the wholesale access needed to maintain these margins.