The Efficacy, Safety and Contraindications of Ozone Therapy

The active/free radical form of ozone partially contributes the efficacy of therapy thus has many proven uses such as: 1(1). The ozone as an oxidant can cause death to typical bacterium due to its capacity to oxidize the bacterial cell wall; 2(2). Can inactivate viruses, such as HIV; 3(3). Enhances the effectiveness of medications by increasing their bioavailability due to its interaction with the bacterial or fungal cell wall; 4(4). Increases the proliferation of fibroblast cells and collagen formation which promotes wound healing. As well, there are numerous clinical studies demonstrating that ozone is effective in treating peripheral arterial disease, chronic wounds, skin infections from viruses, fungus or bacterium and neuropathic pain (6-14). In the case of using autohemotherapy with ozonated blood, a five-minute blood-ozone fusion process is critical in the prevention of air embolism and a successful clinical outcome (15). When used as prescribed [1 – 100 mcg/ml, typically between 10 – 40 mcg/ml (clinical)], ozone has a very good safety profile, as most side effects are mild and transient. Ozone therapy has many contraindications: if the patient has a history of an asthma attack when exposed to ozone or an allergic reaction to ozone; severely impaired liver or kidney function; uncontrolled cardiovascular disease; pregnant or nursing. Ozone therapy cannot replace traditional treatments i.e., antibiotics; ozone therapy is considered a supplemental therapy. Ozone has gained considerable attention in recent years due to the emergence of clinical studies supporting its use as a valuable adjunct therapy in decreasing disease reoccurrence and eliminating hormone dependency in patients with chronic diseases (22, 23). A successful clinical outcome of ozone therapy is dependent on standardized protocols of ozone use, accurate dosage (ozone concentration), and careful patient selection (24).