Both options deliver vitamin B12 effectively. The honest comparison is about dose, time, what else you want in the bag, and how often you plan to come in. This is a direct breakdown to help you choose.
Quick refresher: what B12 actually does
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin involved in red blood cell formation, nervous system maintenance, and the methylation reactions that support energy metabolism. It is found mostly in animal products, and absorption from food requires intrinsic factor produced in the stomach. Older adults, vegans and vegetarians, and people on long-term acid-reducing medication often run on the lower end of optimal range without obvious symptoms.
At Dripology, B12 is offered as either an intramuscular injection or as part of an IV bag (either added to a Myers Cocktail or as a B12 push within a hydration drip).
The B12 intramuscular injection
The IM injection is fast. The shot itself takes seconds, plus a couple of minutes of intake. Standard concierge medspa doses are 1000 mcg of methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin, given in the deltoid or upper outer gluteal muscle. The body absorbs it from the injection site over hours, and serum levels stay elevated for days.
Cost per visit is the lowest of any IV-clinic service. Most clients who book B12 shots come in on a regular cadence (every one to four weeks) for energy support or as part of a methylation protocol with their physician.
Pros: fastest visit, lowest cost per session, easy to book on a tight calendar.
Cons: only delivers B12, no hydration, no other vitamins, no add-ons.
The IV route for B12
B12 in an IV bag goes directly into the bloodstream. Serum peak is faster than IM, and B12 can be combined with hydration (saline), B-complex, vitamin C, magnesium, and other ingredients in the same bag. The most common IV-with-B12 service at Dripology is the Myers Cocktail, which already includes B12 plus the rest of the panel.
Total visit time runs 30 to 45 minutes for a Myers Cocktail or hydration bag with B12 added. Cost per visit is meaningfully higher than a standalone shot because you are also paying for the saline, the other vitamins, and the longer chair time.
Pros: combines hydration, B12, and other vitamins in one session, useful when you are coming in for general wellness rather than B12 alone.
Cons: longer visit, higher cost than a shot.
Which one to choose
Pick the B12 IM injection when:
- You only want B12, not hydration or other vitamins
- You want the fastest, lowest-cost visit
- You are on a regular B12 cadence (weekly, biweekly, monthly) and want it to be a quick stop
- Your physician has flagged low or low-normal B12 on bloodwork and recommended supplementation
Pick the IV with B12 added when:
- You also want fluids (post-travel, post-event, training recovery)
- You want a broader vitamin and mineral panel in the same session
- You are coming in for a Myers Cocktail or hydration drip already, and adding B12 is a small marginal cost
- You want to combine B12 with glutathione or a NAD+ session
What clients actually do at Dripology
Most regulars use both at different times. A common pattern is a Myers Cocktail (which already has B12) once or twice a month, plus a quick standalone B12 shot in between if energy dips during a heavy stretch. The shot is a five-minute stop. The IV is a longer reset.
Your RN can review your intake and recent bloodwork (if you bring it) and suggest which combination fits your goals. Bloodwork is not required to book a B12 shot, but if you have it, we will look at it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a B12 shot take at Dripology?
About five minutes total, including intake. The injection itself takes seconds.
Is B12 absorbed better via IV or IM injection?
Both bypass the gut, so both produce strong serum levels. IV peaks faster. IM stays elevated for slightly longer at the injection site. For most wellness goals, the practical difference is small.
How often should someone get B12?
It depends on baseline status and goals. Common cadences range from weekly during a heavy stretch to once every four to six weeks for general maintenance. Your RN can suggest a schedule.
B12 injections and B12-containing IV services are available at both Dripology locations, in Beverly Hills (Los Angeles) and Flatiron (New York City). Contact the concierge team to book.