Contaminated Glutathione Drips Marketed as ‘Detox’ Treatments Have Sickened Dozens, the CDC and FDA Say

Wellness clinics market IV drips as ways to detox, brighten skin, or boost energy and immunity, but the CDC and FDA say contaminated glutathione injections at clinics in Texas, Washington, New York, and Florida made dozens of people sick. The FDA says the symptoms are consistent with exposure to excessive levels of endotoxins, which are bacterial toxins.

The treatment in question is glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant that’s usually sold as an oral supplement. The FDA hasn’t approved any glutathione products, but compounding pharmacies make injectable versions that clinics offer. This time, the CDC says, every injection linked to the illnesses was compounded with glutathione made for dietary supplements.

The Ingredient Wasn’t Meant for Injections

The outbreak came to light in July, when the Texas Department of State Health Services alerted the CDC to patients who got sick after receiving IV glutathione at an outpatient wellness clinic. Ingredients labeled as dietary supplement grade may contain impurities or contaminants, including endotoxins, and the CDC says they aren’t appropriate for sterile injectable drugs. At least three Texas pharmacies have recalled compounded glutathione products over elevated endotoxin levels, according to the FDA.

??? More than 30 people affected by contaminated IV treatments. The cases span Texas, Washington, Florida and New York, where patients became ill after receiving intravenous glutathione. At least three were hospitalized and one became critically ill. The problem does not appear… pic.twitter.com/r3nXfwjN07

— ULTIMAHORAENX (@ULTIMAHORAENX) September 19, 2026

Symptoms of exposure include fever, chills, pain, dizziness, and signs of shock, the FDA said. At least three patients were hospitalized, and one needed intensive care for shock and abnormal blood clotting, NewsNation reported, citing the CDC.

Unapproved Treatments Come With Risks

Even approved treatments aren’t risk-free, but they’re approved because they’ve been shown to work in specific situations. Treatments that haven’t been approved, even supplements, tend to come with more unknowns.

Beauty and wellness services can carry risks too. One bride was left nearly blind after getting eyelash extensions, and another woman reported a reaction to a lip balm. Both are individual accounts.

Before booking a procedure or trying a new product, it’s worth researching it and checking that whoever is performing it is qualified and reputable. MedicalDaily suggests asking which compounding pharmacy supplies an infusion and whether it has had a recall this year. That won’t remove every risk, but it can lower the odds of a dangerous situation.

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