At Central CosMedic, Dr Danielle Waxman offers VAION NAD+ as a doctor-led treatment for patients across Havelock North, Hastings, Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay. Every patient starts with a consultation, so a doctor who knows your health history helps you decide whether NAD+ suits you and which option makes sense.
You can get it in two ways: a short in-clinic appointment, or an at-home pen for patients who have been assessed and prefer a more regular routine. This page explains what NAD+ is, what the research does and does not yet show, and what to expect if you decide to go ahead.
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body that helps turn the food we eat into usable energy and supports the normal processes cells rely on to maintain and repair themselves.
The body makes its own NAD+, partly from forms of vitamin B3 in the diet. Levels tend to fall as we get older, and research suggests illness and physical stress may also affect them. This is why NAD+ has become a focus of interest in healthy ageing and general wellbeing.
VAION NAD+ is given as a small injection just under the skin, known as a subcutaneous or SubQ injection, rather than through a drip. This keeps appointments short and allows a smaller, more gradual dose.
NAD+ is an active area of research, but it is worth being clear about where that research stands. Much of what is known comes from laboratory and animal studies. Human studies are growing in number but are generally small and short-term, and NAD+ injections are not a treatment for any specific medical condition.
Patients usually ask about NAD+ because they want to support their general wellbeing as they age, or because they have read about it and want an honest view. Dr Waxman’s role is to give you that view, check whether it is appropriate for you, and make sure it isn’t replacing something that needs medical attention. If ongoing tiredness is why you are asking, common causes such as low iron, thyroid problems, or poor sleep should be ruled out first.
NAD+ is only offered after a consultation, and only when it is a sensible option for you.
Dr Waxman takes a full health history, including any medications you take, and talks through what you are hoping for.
She considers whether NAD+ is appropriate, whether anything else should be checked first, and any reason it may not suit you.
You will hear the potential benefits, risks and side effects in plain terms, along with the costs, before you decide anything.
If you go ahead, you choose together between in-clinic appointments and the at-home pen, and agree how you will review how it is going.
An in-clinic appointment takes around 15 minutes. Dr Waxman gives two small injections under the skin, a few minutes apart, and you can go straight back to your usual day afterwards. This option suits patients trying NAD+ for the first time, or those who would rather have occasional appointments than a routine at home.
Cost: $350 per session.
For patients who have been assessed and want a steadier, more regular approach, the VAION NAD+ pen lets you give small doses at home under Dr Waxman’s guidance. She will show you how to use it before you start, and each kit provides around 40 days of treatment when used as directed. The kit includes:
Cost: $1300 for a 40 day supply. Central CosMedic supplies the pen to patients after a consultation with Dr Waxman.
Pen refills -available from Dr Waxman at Central CosMedic.Each refill pack includes:
Cost: $1200 for a 40 day supply.
As with any injection, you may feel a brief sting. Some people notice short-lived sensations during or soon after treatment, such as tingling in the fingers or feet, or pressure in the chest or the back of the head. These usually settle quickly. Giving NAD+ as a small injection under the skin, rather than a larger dose through a drip, is intended to keep these effects mild.
NAD+ is not suitable for everyone. Your health history, medications, and any other treatments are reviewed before anything is recommended, and Dr Waxman will talk through the risks and potential benefits so you can make an informed decision. If you have any concerns after treatment, contact the clinic.
