Ozone is used in a range of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions. While the risk of adverse side effects has proven very low, expanding use may expand adverse effects.
Uses of ozone therapy have included:
(1) injections into joints, discs, etcfor pain relief
(2) topically to chronic wounds or diabetic ulcers
(3) caries and dental infections
(4) chronic infection
(5) fibromyalgia
Adverse effects:
(1) gas embolism
(2) infection associated with injections
(3) respiratory toxicity
(4) neurologic (headache, fatigue)
(5) nausea
Possible causes for adverse effects:
(1) equipment malfunction
(2) poor ventilation
(3) clinician poorly trained or inexperienced
(4) inappropriate indication
(5) failure to select patients properly (see below)
Ozone therapy is contraindicated in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Relative contraindications (Hidalgo-Tallon):
(1) uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
(2) thrombocytopenia
(3) cardiovascular instability
(4) seizure disorder
(5) pregnancy
