Ozone Therapy Side Effects: A Complete Safety Guide
- August 20, 2026
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Before you start ozone therapy, it’s normal to wonder about the treatment’s safety. Like most treatments, ozone therapy may cause side effects in certain people that range from mild to severe. At IV Elements, our ER-trained nurses strive to decrease the risk of side effects by fully supervising all ozone therapy sessions, including major autohemotherapy (MAH), 10-pass ozone therapy, EBOO, and prolozone injections. Here’s everything you should know about ozone therapy side effects, contraindications, and safety before scheduling your session in NJ, NYC, or Philadelphia.
Important: Ozone therapy is not FDA-approved for the treatment of any condition. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
What are the side effects of ozone therapy?
The most common side effects of ozone therapy include flu-like symptoms, post-session fatigue, dehydration, irritation or discomfort at the injection site, and Herxheimer reactions. Rarer, more serious side effects include vein inflammation, hemolysis (red blood cell damage), and air embolism.
Flu-like symptoms
After ozone therapy, some people have flu-like symptoms such as:
- headache
- muscle aches
- chills
- sweating
- fever
- weakness
- low appetite
- nausea
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- brain fog or trouble concentrating
These symptoms are sometimes referred to as a Herxheimer reaction — read more below.
Post-session fatigue
It’s normal to feel tired after ozone therapy, though it usually fades within a day. Some practitioners think this side effect occurs because ozone causes temporary oxidative stress that triggers your body’s antioxidant defense systems, which can leave you feeling tired. Others link fatigue to the bodily stress of having blood drawn and reinfused. You can usually ease this side effect by taking time to rest after treatment.
Dehydration
Some people feel dehydrated for a day or so after ozone treatment, especially if they didn’t drink enough fluids before or after therapy. That’s why we recommend staying well-hydrated and avoiding alcohol and caffeine before therapy, as these substances can make you more likely to feel dehydrated.
Irritation or discomfort at injection site
If you get IV ozone therapy, you might notice signs of irritation at the injection site, including:
- soreness or tenderness
- mild redness
- mild bruising
These symptoms generally fade within a few days. If they don’t, reach out to your doctor.
Herxheimer reaction
Many alternative medicine practitioners claim that ozone therapy may cause a Herxheimer reaction in some people. A Herxheimer reaction is a temporary inflammatory response that can occur during certain medical treatments, possibly when large numbers of bacteria or viruses are killed off too quickly. Common signs include:
- flu-like symptoms, such as headache, chills, and fever
- increased heart rate
- low blood pressure
- brain fog or trouble concentrating
The reaction typically goes away within 72 hours. If it doesn’t, contact your healthcare provider. While rare, some Herxheimer reactions can lead to serious symptoms like seizures, trouble breathing, and heart problems.
Vein inflammation
Though uncommon, vein inflammation (phlebitis) can occur with any IV treatment, including IV ozone therapies like 10-pass ozone therapy. It happens when the vein gets irritated during or after treatment. You might notice symptoms like pain, warmth, redness, or swelling along the vein. In that case, contact your doctor. Most cases are mild and treatable, but this side effect can get worse if you ignore it.
Hemolysis (red blood cell damage)
Because ozone is a strong oxidant, it may damage red blood cells if it’s given in too high of a dose or with the wrong technique. Red blood cell damage (also called hemolysis) can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or dark urine when severe. If you notice these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.
To lower the risk of hemolysis, the board-certified team at IV Elements makes sure all ozone doses and techniques are suitable for each patient’s unique needs. We’ll help you figure out these needs during your pre-treatment consultation.
Air embolism
While extremely rare, it’s possible for air bubbles to form during IV ozone therapy and cause a blocked vein or artery. This may lead to a life-threatening condition such as a stroke or heart attack. To keep patients safe, the nurses at IV Elements closely supervise all ozone therapy treatments.
Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Experience: chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side of your body, slurred speech, or severe difficulty breathing. These may be signs of a serious complication requiring immediate medical attention.
Common vs. Rare Side Effects at a Glance
| Symptom | How Common Is It? | How Long Does It Typically Last? |
|---|---|---|
| Flu-like symptoms / Herxheimer reaction | Common | 24–72 hours |
| Fatigue | Very common | 6–24 hours |
| Dehydration | Somewhat common, especially with minimal hydration before or after treatment | 2–4 hours if you hydrate |
| Irritation at injection site | Common | Several days |
| Vein inflammation | Rare | 3–7 days if mild and treated |
| Hemolysis (red blood cell damage) | Very rare | Several days if mild. Requires emergency medical attention if severe |
| Air embolism | Extremely rare | Requires emergency medical attention |
Concerned about side effects? Our ER-trained nurses fully supervise every ozone therapy session and personalize your protocol to reduce your risk.
Schedule Your Consultation →Can ozone cause oxidative stress?
Yes. Ozone can cause oxidative stress because it’s a powerful oxidizing agent. In ozone therapy, healthcare providers use controlled medical doses of ozone to create temporary, mild oxidative stress that may trigger the body’s antioxidant defenses. While more research is needed, some practitioners think this effect could help people manage concerns like fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders.
However, if ozone treatment is not administered and supervised by licensed healthcare professionals, the oxidative stress may become excessive and damage cells or tissues, causing symptoms like fatigue, headache, and brain fog. That’s why IV Elements only offers medically supervised ozone therapy from licensed clinicians.
Who shouldn’t get ozone therapy?
You shouldn’t get ozone therapy if you have any of these contraindications:
- G6PD deficiency: This condition can increase your risk of severe hemolysis because it makes red blood cells more vulnerable to oxidative stress.
- Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism: People with this condition may experience excess oxidative stress and cardiovascular effects from ozone therapy.
- Active bleeding disorders: IV ozone treatments can increase bleeding risk since they involve drawing and reinfusing blood.
- Severe anemia: Ozone therapy can cause oxidative stress that may further damage red blood cells and worsen anemic symptoms.
- Uncontrolled seizure disorders: Though research is ongoing, ozone therapy may increase the risk of seizures in people with these conditions.
- Recent heart attack or unstable cardiovascular disease: Ozone therapy may pose additional physiological stress until these conditions are stabilized.
- Pregnancy: Researchers have not determined if ozone therapy may have negative effects on developing fetuses.
To make sure you don’t have any of these contraindications, IV Elements requires all ozone patients to undergo a comprehensive consultation before starting treatment. During your consultation, we’ll go over your entire health history, symptoms, and wellness goals to ensure ozone therapy will be safe for you.
Ready to explore ozone therapy with a team you can trust?
Book a ConsultationSchedule medically supervised ozone therapy with IV Elements
Ready to explore medically supervised ozone therapy with a team of nurses dedicated to your safety? Book a consultation with IV Elements! Led by Rebecca LaMarca (MSN, APN-BC), our infusion specialists provide personalized ozone therapy at our drip lounges in Hoboken (serving Jersey City, Weehawken, and Manhattan), Parsippany (serving Morristown, Livingston, and Florham Park), Asbury Park (serving Red Bank, Long Branch, and the Jersey Shore), and Marlton (serving Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, and Philadelphia suburbs), plus our partnership location at Namaste Spa in Ridgewood.
We also offer many of our treatments through our mobile service that covers NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA. As proud members of the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine (PAAM), the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM), and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), we’re committed to delivering safe, customized integrative care. Schedule your consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ozone therapy safe?
Ozone therapy can be safe when administered by a licensed healthcare provider using appropriate doses and techniques, but it does come with some safety risks. The most common ozone therapy risks are side effects such as flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and irritation at the injection site. Rarer risks include vein inflammation, hemolysis (red blood cell damage), and air embolism.
What is a Herxheimer reaction during ozone therapy?
A Herxheimer reaction during ozone therapy is a temporary physical response that may include symptoms like headache, chills, fever, and increased heart rate. These effects usually fade within a day or so. Some practitioners think the reaction might happen when ozone rapidly kills off harmful substances, but more studies are needed. Learn more about Herxheimer reactions with ozone therapy.
What if I feel sick after ozone therapy?
If you have mild symptoms like nausea, headache, or dizziness after ozone therapy, you may just need to hydrate, rest, and take it easy before the symptoms go away within 48 hours. If the symptoms last longer than that or get worse, contact your healthcare provider. You should also seek medical attention right away if you notice serious symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or a high fever.
Where can I get ozone therapy in NJ?
You can get medically supervised ozone therapy in NJ at IV Elements’ drip lounges in Hoboken, Parsippany, Asbury Park, and Marlton, plus our partnership location at Namaste Spa in Ridgewood. We offer multiple types of ozone therapy, including major autohemotherapy (MAH), 10-pass ozone therapy, high-dose ozone therapy, EBOO, and prolozone injections. Some of our ozone treatments are also available through our mobile service, which serves NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA.
References
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- 10 Pass IV Ozone. (2025, November 6). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/10-pass-ozone-therapy
- Benefits of EBOO Ozone. (2024, November 20). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/eboo-ozone
- Elvis, A. M., & Ekta, J. S. (2011). Ozone therapy: A clinical review. Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, 2(1), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-9668.82319
- What is IV Ozone Therapy? | Your Complete Guide. IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/what-is-iv-ozone-therapy
- Herxheimer Reaction with Ozone | Why it’s Actually Good. (2023, October 30). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/herxheimer-reaction
- Dhakal, A., & Sbar, E. (2021). Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557820/
- Decreases HSV Outbreaks with Powerful 10 Pass Ozone Therapy. (2024, May 17). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/hsv-treatment-10-pass-ozone-therapy
- Understanding Ozone | How Different Treatments Work. (2023, April 20). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/how-is-ozone-therapy-administered
- Kill Mold, HSV, Lyme & More With 10 Pass Ozone Treatment. (2024, June 18). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/conditions-treated-with-10-pass-ozone
- Conditions Treated by Ozone Therapy | IV Ozone Therapy. (2023, February 6). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/what-does-ozone-therapy-treat
- Bocci, V. (2010). The Potential Toxicity of Ozone: Side Effects and Contraindications of Ozonetherapy. OZONE, 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9234-2_7
- Schedule Your IV Therapy At-Home | Book IV Drip Now. (2024, November 4). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/book-now-1
- Did You Know Ozone Can Be Administered in Several Ways? (2023, May 11). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/types-of-ozone-therapy
- 10-Pass Ozone Therapy Benefits. (2023, April 20). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/benefits-of-10-pass-ozone-therapy
- What is the difference between High Dose and 10 Pass Ozone? (2024, June 18). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/high-dose-ozone-vs-10-pass-ozone
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