What is Ozone IV Therapy?
- April 19, 2023
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Ozone IV therapy is an alternative medicine treatment that introduces a mixture of medical-grade ozone and oxygen into the bloodstream, which may support cellular energy production. Some integrative health practitioners think the treatment may also promote immune function, improve circulation, and enhance the body’s natural antioxidant responses. Here’s everything you should know about ozone IV therapy and where to get it in New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Important: Ozone IV therapy has not been approved by the FDA to treat any health condition. Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any IV therapy.
How does ozone therapy work?
In ozone IV therapy, blood is drawn through an IV line, combined with ozone and oxygen, and then reinfused into the bloodstream. While research is ongoing, some practitioners believe that when ozone reaches your bloodstream, it may cause temporary oxidative stress that stimulates the body’s antioxidant defenses, affects immune and inflammation responses, and helps the body use oxygen more effectively.
According to proponents of ozone therapy, these effects might support people with a variety of health concerns, including fatigue, infections, and autoimmune conditions. But more studies are needed to determine if ozone therapy can actually help treat these concerns.
The board-certified nurses at IV Elements offer multiple types of ozone therapy: major autohemotherapy (MAH), 10-pass ozone therapy, high-dose ozone therapy, EBOO, and prolozone injections.
What happens during an ozone therapy session?
An ozone therapy session starts with a review of your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Our nurses will also check your vital signs and make sure you feel comfortable and calm before starting treatment.
The actual treatment process varies depending on the type of ozone therapy you get:
- Major autohemotherapy (MAH): Blood is drawn through an IV, mixed with oxygen and ozone gas, and reinfused through the same IV line
- 10-pass ozone therapy: Blood is drawn into a sealed glass bottle, mixed with oxygen and ozone under hyperbaric pressure, and reinfused up to 10 times in one session
- High-dose ozone therapy: Blood is passed through a UVBI machine that exposes it to ultraviolet light before and after it’s mixed with oxygen and ozone
- EBOO: Blood is continuously circulated through a specialized machine that exposes it to ozone and oxygen before it’s reinfused
- Prolozone injections: Ozone gas is injected directly into damaged body tissues or joints
After your treatment, you and your nurse will check in about how you’re feeling. You’ll also get advice for managing any side effects, such as headache or nausea.
| Stage | What Happens | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Before Your Session | Your nurse reviews your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Vital signs are checked. Contraindications (like G6PD deficiency, anemia, cardiovascular issues) are screened. | Come well-hydrated. Eat a light meal beforehand. Bring a list of current medications and supplements. |
| During Your Session | Depending on the type of ozone therapy chosen (MAH, 10-pass, high-dose, EBOO, or prolozone), blood is either drawn and reinfused after ozone exposure, or ozone is injected directly into tissue. Your nurse monitors you the entire time. | Relax in our drip lounge chairs. Bring headphones, a book, or a laptop. Let your nurse know if you feel dizzy, warm, or lightheaded. |
| Immediately After | You and your nurse check in about how you’re feeling. Any mild side effects (headache, nausea) are discussed. You’re cleared to leave once vitals are stable. | Rehydrate with water or electrolytes. Avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day. Have a nutrient-dense meal. |
| In the Days Following | Some clients notice increased energy or reduced symptoms within a few days. Others need multiple sessions to notice changes. Mild fatigue or flu-like symptoms may occur for 24–48 hours. | Track how you feel in a journal or notes app. Report any concerning symptoms to your provider. Schedule your next session per your personalized plan. |

Where did ozone therapy originate?
Ozone therapy’s origins trace back to 1840, when ozone was first discovered by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein. Researchers later found that ozone could kill bacteria and fungi in laboratory settings, and they studied its potential use for treating infections, healing wounds, and purifying blood throughout the early 1900s.
By the 1950s, some European doctors started experimenting with ozone for medical purposes, especially doctors interested in alternative and integrative care. Since then, ozone therapy has gradually gained popularity across Europe, Latin America, and, more recently, the United States.
Is ozone therapy safe?
Ozone IV therapy has not been deemed a safe medical treatment by the FDA. Instead, it’s considered an experimental treatment that has some possible side effects, including:
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- fatigue
- flu-like symptoms
- temporary chest tightness
- bruising or swelling at injection site
- vein irritation or inflammation
Some people may also have rarer, more serious side effects like:
- hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), as ozone can have strong, potentially damaging reactions with red blood cell membranes
- cardiovascular strain in people with preexisting conditions, which may cause symptoms like chest discomfort and irregular blood pressure
- gas embolism, a very rare blood vessel blockage caused by gas bubbles
To lower these risks, the ER-trained nurses at IV Elements only perform ozone therapy after we have a consultation with you. We’ll talk about your health history and treatment needs so we can figure out if ozone IV therapy is a good option for you.
Who should avoid ozone IV therapy?
In general, you shouldn’t get ozone IV therapy if you:
- have anemia or low red blood cell counts
- have unstable cardiovascular disease, such as recent heart attack, irregular heart rhythms, or uncontrolled heart failure
- have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, which can make your red blood cells more vulnerable to oxidative damage
- have an active bleeding disorder
- have serious breathing problems, like severe asthma or COPD, as ozone exposure could make symptoms worse
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
All of these factors might make you more likely to have side effects or complications. You should also not get ozone therapy if you don’t have access to medically supervised treatment. At IV Elements, each in-lounge or at-home ozone therapy session is fully supervised by experienced nurses so you stay comfortable and safe.
How many ozone therapy sessions do I need?
The number of ozone therapy sessions you need varies depending on your health, your treatment goals, and the type of ozone therapy you get. For chronic conditions, some clients pursue an initial series (often 6–10 sessions) followed by maintenance sessions, but every plan is individualized. If you’re looking for more general benefits, like increased energy, you might need fewer or less frequent sessions.
At IV Elements, we can give you an idea of how many sessions you’ll need during your consultation. We can also change your schedule at any time to include more or fewer sessions, based on how you respond to treatment.
Explore ozone therapy at IV Elements
Now that you’ve had ozone IV therapy explained, you can begin your ozone journey with the board-certified team at IV Elements. As members of the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine (PAAM) and the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM), we’re dedicated to providing customized integrative care throughout Hudson County, Bergen County, and the Jersey Shore. Our anthroposophic ozone treatments start with thorough consultations to make sure you’re an ideal candidate. Get your first infusion at one of our drip lounges in Hoboken, Parsippany, Asbury Park, or Marlton, or book an in-home visit in NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, or Bucks County, PA. Learn more about our personalized treatments, and schedule your consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ozone therapy FDA-approved in the U.S.?
No. Ozone therapy has not been approved by the FDA to treat any medical conditions in the U.S. Instead, it’s used in alternative medicine or integrative care settings alongside conventional FDA-approved treatments.
Does ozone therapy have side effects?
Yes. Like many treatments, ozone therapy may have side effects, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and bruising or swelling at injection site. Rarer side effects include hemolysis (red blood cell damage) and cardiovascular strain in people with preexisting cardiovascular issues.
What’s the difference between ozone and oxygen therapy?
Ozone therapy involves ozone gas (O₃), which is oxygen with an extra atom, and oxygen therapy involves medical oxygen (O₂), which is the oxygen we breathe. While ozone therapy is an experimental treatment used in alternative medicine settings, oxygen therapy is an FDA-approved treatment used in hospitals to help treat conditions like pneumonia and COPD.
Where can I get ozone therapy in NJ?
You can get ozone therapy in NJ at IV Elements’ drip lounges in Hoboken, Parsippany, Asbury Park, and Marlton. You can also get mobile treatments across NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA.
References
- Ozone IV Therapy: Advanced Healing with Ozone Therapy. (2022, June 13). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/ozone-therapy
- Understanding Ozone | How Different Treatments Work. (2023, April 20). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/how-is-ozone-therapy-administered
- Conditions Treated by Ozone Therapy | IV Ozone Therapy. (2023, February 6). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/what-does-ozone-therapy-treat
- 10 Pass IV Ozone. (2025, November 6). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/10-pass-ozone-therapy
- Did You Know Ozone Can Be Administered in Several Ways? (2023, May 11). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/types-of-ozone-therapy
- Komarraju, S. L., Sathyanath, D., Sathwik, M., & Muralidharan, S. (2025). Historical highlights of ozone therapy. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 17(Suppl 3), S2029–S2031. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1130_25
- 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
- Treatment Menu | IV Elements. (2026, April 27). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/treatment-menu
What is Ozone IV Therapy?
Discover ozone uses, origins, safety, and side effects in this IV ozone therapy guide. Learn what to expect and schedule your first session with IV Elements.




