Ozone therapy is a complementary method in which ozone, the three-atom form of oxygen, is mixed with oxygen and given to the body in a measured dose. Its effect is a controlled oxidative stimulus: this stimulus strengthens the body’s own antioxidant defences. Systemic ozone is given either by exposing drawn blood to an ozone-oxygen mixture and returning it (major autohemotherapy) or by the rectal route; ozone gas is not inhaled at any point of the procedure.
I am a specialist in anaesthesiology and reanimation. I began working with ozone in 2010, during my anaesthesiology residency at Cumhuriyet University, and hold a Ministry of Health ozone practice certificate dated 2019. On this page I explain how ozone works, the routes it is given by, what I expect in which situation, and what the literature says — in one place. I do not present ozone as a treatment for everything; I write what I expect in each situation together with its level of evidence.
How does ozone work in the body?
The moment ozone reaches blood or tissue it turns into oxygen and short-lived reactive compounds. These compounds send the cell a “mild stress” signal, and the cell responds by increasing its antioxidant enzymes. That is the essence of the effect: ozone does not stay in the body; the stimulus it leaves does 12.
Two further consequences of the same mechanism have been reported: an increase in the oxygen-releasing capacity of red blood cells and a modulation of inflammatory signalling 1. Ozone is therefore thought of not as a drug for one disease but as a method that stimulates the body’s general regulatory capacity. Dose is decisive: a low dose stimulates, a high dose damages. This is why I give ozone in measured doses under physician supervision; inhaled ozone is harmful 2.
What is ozone therapy used for?
I describe ozone on three levels: what has been studied in the literature, the situations I assess in my own practice, and what I plan as supportive care. I do not hide this distinction.
Areas studied in the literature. In knee osteoarthritis, placebo-controlled trials report short-term improvement in pain and function after intra-articular ozone; the quality of the trials is heterogeneous 34. The effect of systemic ozone on antioxidant response and inflammatory markers has been shown in mechanistic studies 1.
Situations I assess in my practice. Chronic fatigue, widespread musculoskeletal pain and fibromyalgia, frequently recurring infections, circulatory complaints, recurrent vaginal infection and bowel complaints. What I consistently observe in these areas in clinical practice is a reduction in the burden of fatigue and pain and an increase in general well-being; I write this as experience, not as a promise.
What I plan as supportive care. Demanding periods, recovery phases and general well-being. Here ozone is not a plan on its own but part of a plan built together with sleep, nutrition and movement.
I do not plan ozone for an undiagnosed complaint. In a patient already under follow-up, ozone runs alongside that follow-up; no medication is stopped for ozone.
Which routes is ozone given by?
| Method | What is done | When it comes to the fore | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major autohemotherapy (major ozone) | Blood drawn from a vein is exposed to the ozone-oxygen mixture in a closed set and returned | When a full systemic effect is the goal; the classic method of systemic ozone | Major ozone therapy |
| Multipass (sequential) ozone | The same cycle is repeated 3, 5 or 10 times in one session | Resistant pictures where the standard dose is not enough | Multipass ozone therapy |
| Rectal ozone | The mixture is delivered to the bowel through a thin catheter; needle-free | Difficult venous access, needle avoidance, or predominant bowel complaints | Rectal ozone therapy |
| Intra-articular (knee) ozone | The mixture is injected directly into the joint | Early and moderate knee osteoarthritis, mild-to-moderate knee pain | Knee ozone therapy |
| Vaginal ozone | The mixture is delivered vaginally through a sterile applicator | Recurrent vaginal infection, vaginal dryness | Vaginal ozone therapy |
I do not rank these methods against each other. The route is chosen at consultation according to venous access, the goal and the person’s preference; local and systemic routes can be planned together when needed.
Who do I consider it for?
I assess ozone particularly in adults whose blood tests show no major abnormality but who present with fatigue, pain and frequent illness. In fibromyalgia I do not expect a single application to solve the problem; that picture needs sleep, the stress response and the musculoskeletal system addressed together. I think of ozone as part of that whole, alongside the pain treatment plan.
On weight, let me be clear: ozone alone does not cause weight loss. In weight management I plan ozone only alongside dietitian follow-up, to support fatigue and the capacity to move.
Being honest about the level of evidence
The mechanism of ozone has been studied in detail in laboratory and experimental work 12; the clinical outcome studies, however, are small and heterogeneous. Placebo-controlled randomised trials exist for intra-articular ozone 34; the effect of systemic ozone in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and frequent infection rests mainly on case series and clinical observation. Alongside studies reporting improvement there are studies reporting limited benefit; I do not hide that, and I do not give unsourced percentages.
Where do these treatments sit in a functional medicine plan?
I plan ozone as a supportive part of the functional medicine assessment; the main plan is oral supplementation and lifestyle adjustment. Intravenous vitamin and mineral treatments are explained separately on the IV therapy page.
The procedure and pain management
Topical anaesthetic cream is standard. Because I am an anaesthesiologist, I treat pain management as a separate part of the procedure.
In intravenous treatments, what you feel is a brief sting as the line is placed; rectal and vaginal treatments involve no needle.
Aftercare
Same day
- You can return to daily life; you can drive
- Drink plenty of water; avoid alcohol and heavy exercise
Expected findings A small bruise or tenderness at the venous access site may last 1–2 days. Mild tiredness or sleepiness may occur on the evening of the procedure and passes by the next day. If redness, warmth or swelling develops at the access site, contact the clinic.
Advice for the other treatments is on the relevant page.
Safety and anatomy
Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
Dose is decisive for the safety of ozone, which is why I work with measured doses. Each route has its own safety notes on its page.
Legal framework: In Türkiye, ozone therapy is performed by certified physicians within the framework of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (GETAT) Regulation. My clinic is routinely inspected by the district health directorate of the Ministry of Health and is inspected separately under its health tourism authorisation certificate. The products I use are recorded.
Who is not suitable
Treatment is not performed, or is postponed, in the following situations:
- Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- Autoimmune disease in an active phase
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Known hypersensitivity to the product components
- Uncontrolled chronic illness
- Untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use
I do not perform these treatments during active cancer treatment. For a person with a history of cancer, I make the decision together with the treating specialist.
In systemic ozone, treatment is also not performed in G6PD enzyme deficiency (favism), uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, or during an acute heart attack or stroke.
Contraindications specific to each method are listed on the relevant page.
Without being a medical contraindication, I also consider expectation and treatment to be mismatched in these situations:
- People expecting a lasting result from a single session
- People with an undiagnosed complaint — a diagnosis comes first
- People who want to stop their current treatment — follow-up with the relevant specialty continues
- People with advanced knee osteoarthritis who need surgery — an injection does not replace surgery
Suitability is determined by consultation in every case.
Pricing
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Frequently asked questions
What is ozone therapy and how does it work?
It is the administration of an ozone-oxygen mixture to the body in a measured dose. Ozone turns into oxygen immediately in the body; the brief oxidative stimulus it leaves strengthens the cell’s antioxidant defences. The effect comes not from the ozone itself but from the response to that stimulus.
Which route is used, and which is right for me?
For a systemic effect, the classic method is major autohemotherapy; for difficult venous access or needle avoidance the rectal route, and for resistant pictures multipass is considered. Knee and vaginal applications are local. I make the choice at consultation.
Does ozone therapy cause weight loss?
Not on its own. In weight management I plan ozone only alongside dietitian follow-up, to support fatigue and the capacity to move.
Does it have a place in cancer treatment?
I do not perform these treatments during active cancer treatment. For a person with a history of cancer, I make the decision together with the treating specialist.
Planning your visit
My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.
For ozone therapy I suggest planning a stay of two to three days: arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Because this treatment may be planned as more than one session, it may require more than one visit. The first session takes place in Istanbul, and we plan the schedule of any following sessions together according to your travel arrangements, with remote follow-up in between. Flying is generally appropriate 24 hours after an injectable treatment.
Consultations are conducted in English. Follow-up after you return home is arranged remotely, and I remain reachable for any questions during the period in which the result develops.
You can read how I offer this treatment at my clinic, IV Point, on the ozone therapy page.
Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin — Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Diploma Registration No: 113606 Ozone Therapy Certificate — Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, 2019
Published: 22 February 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-22 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.
References
- Bocci V, Borrelli E, Travagli V, Zanardi I. The ozone paradox: ozone is a strong oxidant as well as a medical drug. Med Res Rev. 2009;29(4):646–682. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19260079/
- Bocci V. Is it true that ozone is always toxic? The end of a dogma. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2006;216(3):493–504. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16890971/
- Sconza C, Respizzi S, Virelli L, et al. Oxygen–ozone therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Arthroscopy. 2020;36(1):277–286. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31679646/
- Lopes de Jesus CC, dos Santos FC, de Jesus LMOB, et al. Comparison between intra-articular ozone and placebo in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0179185. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28738079/ — 2024 correction (PLoS One 19(11):e0314494): the placebo and treatment groups were swapped in one table; the conclusion did not change.