Intralipid IV Therapy in London

Intralipid infusions are a prescription-only intravenous therapy that may be offered as adjunct immune support for women having IVF, or with a history of recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure. Every treatment at ZEN Healthcare starts with a clinician-led consultation and is subject to medical suitability.

Arrange a Consultation How It Works
  • Adjunct support alongside IVF
  • Prescription-only, clinician-led
  • Nurse observations during infusion
  • Four central London clinics
Intralipid IV therapy for fertility support at ZEN Healthcare London
What is it?

What is Intralipid IV therapy?

When implantation fails repeatedly, or miscarriages occur despite good-quality embryos, an over-active immune response, particularly raised natural killer (NK) cell activity, may be one of the factors involved. Intralipid® is an intravenous fat emulsion that is designed to help moderate these immune pathways, with the aim of supporting a more favourable environment for an embryo to implant.

01

Composition

20% fat emulsion
  • A sterile emulsion of soya-bean oil, egg-yolk phospholipids, glycerol and water.
  • Given slowly through a drip into a vein.
02

Mode of action

Immune modulation
  • Delivers omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.
  • Thought to help modulate cytokines and NK-cell activity, without suppressing the wider immune system.
03

Background

Over 40 years of clinical use
  • Originally developed for parenteral (intravenous) nutrition.
  • Its use in fertility care is more recent, and is always decided case by case.
Not the same as a vitamin drip. IV vitamin drips deliver micronutrients, whereas Intralipid is a fat emulsion given on prescription. Your dose and infusion time are set by the prescribing clinician after your consultation.
How it works

How does Intralipid work in fertility care?

When infused slowly, Intralipid is thought to temporarily modulate cytokines and NK-cell cytotoxicity, without suppressing the wider immune system. The aim is to support a more favourable environment for embryo implantation.

Intralipid is an adjunct therapy: it is given alongside your fertility treatment plan, not instead of it, and only where immune factors are thought to be relevant.

IVF Medications Blood Tests Phospholipid Exchange Therapy IV Drip (Myers’ Cocktail) All IV Infusions

The thinking behind Intralipid

  1. Immune factors may play a role. In some women, raised NK-cell activity may contribute to implantation failure or miscarriage.
  2. Fatty acids are infused. Intralipid delivers omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids directly into the bloodstream.
  3. Immune pathways are modulated. These are thought to help moderate cytokines and NK-cell cytotoxicity, without broad immune suppression.
  4. Implantation is supported. The aim is a more receptive environment for the embryo to implant and develop.
Potential benefits

Potential fertility benefits of Intralipid

Some studies and evidence reviews have reported higher ongoing-pregnancy and live-birth rates in selected women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) or recurrent miscarriage when Intralipid was added to IVF cycles.

Whether Intralipid is appropriate for you depends on your history and test results, which your clinician reviews with you at your consultation.

Intralipid is not a treatment or cure for infertility, and no therapy can guarantee pregnancy. Evidence for its use in fertility care is limited and mixed, and research is ongoing. Treatment is prescription-only, subject to medical suitability following consultation, and results vary between individuals.

  • May help moderate raised NK-cell activity
  • May support healthy uterine blood flow
  • Designed to help dampen inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α
  • May support early placental development
  • Typically lower in cost than IVIg (immunoglobulin) therapy
  • Given alongside your existing fertility treatment plan
Who is it for?

Who might be offered Intralipid at ZEN Healthcare?

Intralipid may be considered for women with the following histories, following a full clinician-led assessment.

Typical indicationExample scenario
Recurrent miscarriage3 or more consecutive miscarriages with immunological findings
Repeated implantation failure2 or more good-quality embryo transfers without pregnancy
Elevated NK-cell activity or Th1:Th2 ratioConfirmed on blood or endometrial testing
Autoimmune conditionsFor example, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lupus, in conjunction with fertility treatment
A full consultant-led assessment determines suitability. Intralipid is not suitable for people with a soya or egg allergy, or with certain lipid metabolism disorders.
Your treatment

The Intralipid treatment protocol we follow

Intralipid is administered on prescription, so each stage of your treatment is planned and monitored by qualified clinicians.

1

Consultation and bloods

A baseline consultation and blood tests rule out contraindications such as soya or egg allergy, or lipid metabolism disorders.

2

First infusion

Typically given 7 to 10 days before embryo transfer. The dose and infusion time are set by the prescribing clinician.

3

Top-up infusion

May be repeated at 6 to 8 weeks’ gestation if NK-cell activity remains raised.

4

Monitoring

Nurse observations during each infusion, and a follow-up call around 24 hours later.

On the day. Each infusion takes approximately 90 minutes, plus consultation time. There is no sedation, so you can relax, work or use our Wi-Fi during treatment, and drive afterwards. As with any intravenous procedure, mild bruising or tenderness at the cannula site can occur; your clinician will discuss possible side effects with you before treatment.
Arrange a consultation

Arrange an Intralipid IV therapy consultation

Intralipid infusion price London On consultation Your treatment plan and price are confirmed at your consultation.

Free to talk now? Complete the form and one of our friendly ZEN advisors will contact you to answer your questions straight away and arrange your consultation, or choose a time for a call back later.

Our London clinics

Where to have Intralipid IV therapy in London

Consultations for Intralipid IV therapy are available across our four London clinics. Appointments are available seven days a week; availability may vary by location, so please call your preferred clinic or use the form above.

ZEN Knightsbridge
53 Beauchamp Place, London SW3 1NY
020 7225 1660
Knightsbridge@zenhealthcare.co.uk
ZEN Baker Street
3d Baker Street, London W1U 8ED
020 3609 0080
bakerstreet@zenhealthcare.co.uk
ZEN Holborn
150 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AN
0207 837 7143
holborn@zenhealthcare.co.uk
ZEN Hampstead
57-61 Heath Street, London NW3 6UG
0208 079 1314
hampstead@zenhealthcare.co.uk
Why ZEN Healthcare

Why choose ZEN Healthcare for Intralipid infusions?

ZEN Healthcare brings together private clinics and pharmacies across London, so your treatment is prescribed and given in a regulated healthcare setting by qualified medical experts.

01

Qualified medical experts

Your infusion is prescribed, given and monitored by medically trained clinicians, after a full consultation.

02

Seven days a week

Appointments are available seven days a week, to fit around your fertility treatment timeline.

03

Late-night pharmacy

Our pharmacy team is on hand with extended opening hours in central London.

04

Rated excellent

Rated ‘Excellent’ by our clients across our four London clinics.

FAQs

Intralipid IV therapy FAQs

About the therapy

What is Intralipid IV therapy?

Intralipid is a sterile 20% fat emulsion of soya-bean oil, egg-yolk phospholipids, glycerol and water. Given as a slow intravenous infusion, it may be offered as adjunct immune support for women having IVF, or with a history of recurrent miscarriage or implantation failure.

Is Intralipid the same as an IV vitamin drip?

No. Vitamin drips deliver micronutrients, whereas Intralipid is a fat emulsion, given on prescription, that is designed to modulate immune pathways relevant to fertility.

Will Intralipid guarantee pregnancy?

No. No therapy can guarantee pregnancy. Intralipid is an adjunct that may be considered when immune factors are thought to be involved, and evidence for its use is limited and mixed. Results vary between individuals.

Who should not have Intralipid?

Intralipid is not suitable for people with a soya or egg allergy, or with certain lipid metabolism disorders. A baseline consultation and blood tests are carried out to check suitability before treatment.

The treatment

How long does each Intralipid session take?

Each infusion takes approximately 90 minutes, plus consultation time. You can relax, work or use our Wi-Fi during the treatment.

How many Intralipid sessions will I need?

Typically, patients receive an initial infusion 7 to 10 days before embryo transfer, with a possible top-up at 6 to 8 weeks’ gestation if needed. Your clinician will confirm your plan.

Can I drive after an Intralipid infusion?

Yes. There is no sedation and the infusion does not impair alertness.

Prices and booking

How much does Intralipid IV therapy cost in London?

The price depends on your treatment plan and is confirmed at your consultation. Contact our team or request a call back for details.

Where can I have Intralipid IV therapy in London?

ZEN Healthcare offers Intralipid IV therapy consultations across its four London clinics: Knightsbridge (SW3), Baker Street (W1U), Holborn (WC1B) and Hampstead (NW3). Request a call back to arrange your consultation.

Speak to our clinical team about Intralipid

Book a consultation at any of our four London clinics. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice; always consult a qualified fertility specialist before starting any new treatment.

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