Home IV drip: step by step

Step 1: How do I book a home drip?

Everything starts with one message. You do not need an app or an account. Write to us on WhatsApp and tell us three things: the address (district and neighbourhood are enough at first), how many people want a drip, and which drip you are interested in. If you are not sure which one, just describe how you feel or why you want it, and we will tell you which options make sense, including when a drip is not a good idea.

We work 24/7. If the visit itself is between 00:00 and 07:00, it counts as a night visit and there is an extra €40 per visit.

Step 2: What does the health questionnaire ask?

Next we send you a short health questionnaire by message. It takes a few minutes. It asks about your age, any long-term illness (for example heart, kidney or liver problems), allergies, medicines you take, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and what is going on right now. If several people are booking, each person fills in their own.

Please answer honestly. These answers are how we decide if a drip at home is safe for you.

Step 3: Who decides if a drip is safe for me?

A doctor reads every questionnaire before a nurse is sent. Sometimes the answer is a different drip, a smaller dose, or leaving out an add-on. And sometimes the answer is no: a drip at home is not right for you, and the doctor will tell you to see your own doctor or go to a hospital instead. We would rather lose a booking than send a nurse where a drip could do harm.

Step 4: When do I know the full price?

Once the doctor says yes, we send you the total price on WhatsApp, in euros: the drip price per person, any add-ons, and the visit fee. The visit fee is €25 per visit, not per person, and it is not charged when 2 or more people book together. You confirm the total in writing before the nurse leaves.

You can cancel free of charge until the nurse sets off. After that, the visit fee is charged.

Step 5: When will the nurse arrive?

We tell you roughly when the nurse should arrive. Istanbul is big and traffic is real, so the time depends on your district, the hour and the roads. We do not promise an exact minute. We will message you if there is a delay. The drip itself usually takes 45–60 minutes, so plan for a bit over an hour from the moment the nurse walks in.

What should I prepare at home?

You do not need anything special. A few small things make the visit easier:

• A bed or a sofa where you can lie or sit back comfortably for an hour.
• Good light near your arm, so the nurse can see the vein clearly.
• Your ID, in case the nurse asks to check who the drip is for.
• A list of the medicines you take and any allergies, or just the boxes.
• Eat something light beforehand if you can. A drip on a totally empty stomach can make some people feel dizzy.
• If the drip is for an elderly parent or relative, make sure another adult is at home during the visit.

What about apartments, site security, parking and pets?

Most visits in Istanbul are to apartment buildings and sites, so a few local details save time:

• Send the full address with block, floor and flat number, plus a location pin.
• If you live in a site with a gate or security, tell them a nurse is coming, or tell us how the nurse should check in.
• If parking is hard on your street, tell us where the nurse can stop for a few minutes.
• Say if there is no elevator or it is out of order, so the nurse knows what to expect with the bag.
• Please keep pets in another room during the visit.

What checks happen before the needle?

When the nurse arrives, they wash their hands and set out sterile, single-use equipment. Then they measure your blood pressure and pulse and ask again about allergies, medicines and how you feel today. If something looks wrong at this point, for example very high or very low blood pressure, the nurse can stop and talk to the doctor before going further.

Then the nurse places a small cannula, usually in the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. You feel a short pinch. The needle comes out and only a soft plastic tube stays in the vein.

What is normal during the drip, and what is not?

The nurse stays with you for the whole drip. You can lie down, watch something, scroll your phone or sleep. It is normal for your arm to feel a bit cool, because the fluid is at room temperature.

Tell the nurse straight away if you feel any of these:

• Pain or burning where the cannula is.
• Swelling or hardness around the spot.
• Shortness of breath or a tight chest.
• A rash, itching or swelling of the face or lips.
• Feeling faint, very dizzy or sick.

What happens when the drip is taken out, and after?

When the bag is empty, the nurse removes the cannula and puts a small plaster on the spot. Press on it for a few minutes. A small bruise is possible and usually fades in a few days. Drink some water over the rest of the day and get up slowly the first time.

Call a doctor if the spot becomes red, hot, swollen or painful over the next days, or if you get a fever. For serious symptoms such as trouble breathing or chest pain, call 112.

How do I pay, and what happens to the used equipment?

You pay at the visit, by card or in cash, the total you already confirmed. All equipment is single-use: the cannula, tubes and bag are opened in front of you, and the nurse takes everything away with them, including needles in a sharps box.

When is home not the right place for a drip?

A home drip is for people who are basically well and want hydration or vitamins. It is not emergency care. It is usually not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, have heart or kidney disease, or take certain medicines. The doctor review is there to catch this.

Go to a hospital or call 112 instead of booking if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, blood in vomit or stool, a high fever that does not come down, or you cannot keep any fluids down for many hours.