Ozone therapy is generally well tolerated when it is given the right way, to the right person, after proper screening. Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as bruising at the IV site or feeling tired afterward. The serious risks are rare and are almost entirely tied to the wrong route of delivery or skipped screening, which is why the screening steps below are not optional at Venturis Clinic.

This page covers what side effects to expect, who should not have ozone therapy, and the safety steps our team follows in Oklahoma City. For an overview of every form of ozone we offer, see our ozone therapy in Oklahoma City page.

Ozone therapy is investigational and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is general education, not medical advice. Individual results vary.

Common, mild side effects

With major autohemotherapy (ozone IV) and EBOO, the side effects people mention most often are:

IV-site bruising or tenderness. The same as any blood draw or IV, and it fades over a few days.
Tiredness after a session. Some people feel ready for a nap for the rest of the day. Others feel no different.
Lightheadedness. Usually from sitting up too fast or arriving without eating or drinking. We ask you to hydrate and eat beforehand.
Vein irritation. An aching feeling along the vein during or after the return of blood, which settles on its own.
A metallic taste during treatment, which passes quickly.

With prolozone (ozone joint injections), expect soreness or a feeling of fullness at the injection site for one to three days.

Rare but serious risks

The serious problems reported in the medical literature cluster around a few avoidable situations:

Breathing ozone. Ozone gas irritates and can damage the lungs. It is never inhaled in medical use, and treatment rooms are set up so gas is not released into the air.
Injecting ozone gas directly into a vein. Pushing gas straight into the bloodstream can cause a gas embolism. This method is not used at Venturis. In ozone IV therapy, ozone is mixed with blood outside the body and the blood is returned, which is a different process.
Treating someone who should have been screened out, most importantly people with G6PD deficiency (see below).
Poor equipment or non-medical-grade oxygen. Concentration and purity matter, which is why ozone is generated on site from medical-grade oxygen with a calibrated generator, right before use.

The FDA’s position is that ozone is a toxic gas with no proven medical use, and you should know that before you consider it. Ozone therapy is used much more widely in parts of Europe, where it is commonly given under published consensus guidelines such as the Madrid Declaration on Ozone Therapy. We follow that kind of conservative dosing and screening framework.

Who should not have ozone therapy

Ozone therapy is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not given, or is postponed, for people with:

G6PD deficiency. An inherited enzyme condition that leaves red blood cells vulnerable to oxidative stress. We test for it before any systemic ozone treatment.
Pregnancy.
Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism.
Low platelet counts or active bleeding problems.
A recent heart attack, stroke, or unstable heart condition.
Acute alcohol intoxication.
A known reaction to ozone.

Blood thinners, certain supplements, and some medications also change how a session is planned, so bring a full list of what you take.

How Venturis keeps ozone therapy safe

Our ozone program was built by our founder, Alvin Philipose, who wrote the book Ozone Therapy: The Promising Science Behind Healing and Wellness and teaches ozone therapy to physicians and other practitioners. Those protocols shape every step below. Treatments are performed by licensed medical staff under our medical director.

A Good Faith Exam first. Nobody is scheduled for ozone without one.
Lab work, including G6PD screening and, in most cases, a recent blood count. See lab testing at Venturis.
A medication and history review for the conditions listed above.
Conservative starting doses, adjusted only after we see how you respond.
Medical-grade oxygen, on-site generation, sterile single-use supplies, and closed systems that keep ozone out of the room air.
Monitoring during and after each session, with clear aftercare instructions.

Side effects by type of ozone therapy

Each route has its own profile. You can read more about each one:

Frequently asked questions

Is ozone therapy safe?

For screened patients treated with medical-grade equipment and conservative dosing, published reports describe ozone therapy as generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects. It is not risk-free, it is investigational in the United States, and it is not right for everyone.

What does ozone therapy feel like?

For IV ozone, it feels much like a blood draw and an IV. Most people read, rest or work on a phone during the session.

Can ozone therapy make you feel worse at first?

Some people feel tired or a little run-down for a day after a session. If you feel unwell in any way that concerns you, call us, and seek emergency care for chest pain, trouble breathing, or symptoms of a stroke.

Why do I need a G6PD test?

G6PD deficiency is often undiagnosed, and it is one of the most important reasons someone should not have systemic ozone. A simple blood test rules it out.

Can I have ozone therapy if I take blood thinners?

Possibly, but it changes how treatment is planned and sometimes means ozone is not a good fit. This is decided at your Good Faith Exam.

Talk with us before you decide

If you are weighing ozone therapy, the first step is a conversation, not a booking. Book a free 15-minute discovery call or call (405) 848-7246. Venturis Clinic, 7917 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73120. Direct-pay; we do not bill insurance.

Ozone Therapy Side Effects and Safety