EBOO therapy is not advised for people with G6PD deficiency, bleeding or clotting disorders, a history of blood clots, active bleeding, pregnancy or breastfeeding, severe anemia, or a very recent heart attack or stroke. Others, including people with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, low platelets, unstable heart disease, or those on certain medications, may need medical clearance and lab work first. The single most important screening test is for G6PD deficiency, because ozone can trigger red blood cell breakdown in people who lack that enzyme.
If you are still learning what EBOO therapy is, it is a blood-based ozone therapy, and that is exactly why candidacy matters so much. EBOO is not FDA-approved, and this is educational, not medical advice. The list below is not exhaustive, and final candidacy is always a clinical decision made at a consultation. Being told “no,” or “not yet,” is one of the signs of a careful clinic rather than a red flag.
- Absolute EBOO Therapy contraindications, where EBOO is not done, include G6PD deficiency, active bleeding or a bleeding disorder, a history of blood clots, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and severe anemia.
- A recent heart attack or stroke, within roughly the past 30 to 60 days, is also a reason not to proceed.
- Relative EBOO therapy contraindications need clearance first: uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, low platelets, unstable heart disease, ACE inhibitor blood pressure medication, and a prior reaction to heparin.
- G6PD screening is the most important test before any ozone therapy. A careful clinic tests for it, no exceptions.
- Booking IV vitamin C or glutathione on the same day as EBOO is usually avoided, because they can work against the therapy.
- EBOO is not FDA-approved. This list is not complete, and candidacy is decided at consultation.
Who Should Not Have EBOO Therapy?
The clearest way to understand EBOO therapy contraindications is to split them into two groups: conditions that rule EBOO out completely, and conditions that need medical clearance before it can be considered. Here is that split.
Absolute Contraindications: When EBOO Is Not Done
These are the conditions where a responsible clinic will not perform EBOO, because the risk is too high regardless of how carefully the session is run.
G6PD Deficiency
This is the most important one. G6PD is a genetic enzyme deficiency, and without that enzyme, your red blood cells cannot handle the oxidative stress of ozone. The result can be hemolysis, where red blood cells break apart. This is exactly why G6PD screening is essential before any ozone therapy, and why a careful clinic tests for it with no exceptions.
Active Bleeding or a Bleeding Disorder
Because EBOO uses a small amount of anticoagulant to move blood smoothly through the circuit, anyone with active bleeding, a bleeding disorder, or conditions like active ulcers is not a candidate. The therapy and the bleeding risk work against each other.
A History of Blood Clots or a Clotting Disorder
A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder is a clear reason not to proceed. This is a firm exclusion at our clinic.
Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
EBOO has not been adequately studied for fetal safety, so it is not done during pregnancy, especially the first trimester, and we wait until after breastfeeding to begin.
Severe Anemia
Because EBOO processes your blood, a very low red blood cell count makes the therapy inappropriate. Your red cells carry oxygen, and any pre-existing weakness is a reason not to proceed.
A Recent Heart Attack or Stroke
A recent cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or major stroke within roughly the past 30 to 60 days, is a reason to wait. The circulatory demands of the procedure are not appropriate during that recovery window.
Relative Contraindications: When EBOO Needs Clearance First
These conditions do not automatically rule EBOO out, but they require medical review, and sometimes additional testing or clearance, before anyone proceeds.
- Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism: Ozone can temporarily stimulate metabolic activity, which is risky if the thyroid is already overactive. Levels need to be managed and stable first.
- Low platelets (thrombocytopenia): A low platelet count affects clotting and needs review before treatment.
- Unstable cardiovascular disease: Unstable heart conditions need clearance, since EBOO affects circulation.
- ACE inhibitor blood pressure medication: These can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure during reinfusion, which is managed by adjusting timing and slowing the infusion.
- A prior reaction to heparin: If you have had heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or another reaction to that blood thinner, EBOO may not be advisable.
Same-Day IV Antioxidants and EBOO
One timing detail is worth knowing before you book. Taking a high-dose IV antioxidant such as vitamin C or glutathione on the same day as EBOO is usually avoided. EBOO works partly by creating a brief, controlled oxidative signal, and flooding your system with strong antioxidants at the same time can blunt the very effect you are paying for.
It is not dangerous the way the absolute EBOO therapy contraindications are, but it is a real timing conflict, so these treatments are normally scheduled on separate days.
Why Screening Matters More Than the List?
Every contraindication above is caught the same way, through proper screening before your first session. The list is only useful if a clinic actually checks against it.
A careful clinic reviews your full medical history, checks every medication and supplement you take, orders lab testing where needed, including G6PD status, and then makes a real clinical decision about whether EBOO is appropriate for you. The most important part of that process is a provider who is willing to say no.
If a clinic offers to book you for EBOO without reviewing your history or testing for G6PD, that is the real warning sign, not any single item on the list. This same screening is what keeps EBOO side effects mild for the people who are cleared to proceed.
How Contraindications Fit Into the Bigger Picture
Contraindications are one piece of deciding whether EBOO is right for you. It also helps to understand whether EBOO therapy is safe in general, how many sessions you need if you do proceed, and what EBOO therapy costs so there are no surprises. Once you are cleared as a candidate, a little planning goes a long way, so it is worth reading how to prepare for your session before your first visit.
A Note From Melissa
Patients sometimes worry that being turned down means something is wrong with them. It does not. A good contraindication list exists to protect you, and telling someone “this is not right for you, or not right now” is one of the most important things I do. In 28 years, I have never regretted being cautious about who gets a blood-based therapy. The clinics that treat everyone who walks in are the ones to be wary of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should not have EBOO therapy?
EBOO is not advised for people with G6PD deficiency, bleeding or clotting disorders, a history of blood clots, active bleeding, pregnancy or breastfeeding, severe anemia, or a very recent heart attack or stroke. Others may need medical clearance first.
What are the absolute contraindications for EBOO?
Absolute EBOO therapy contraindications, where EBOO is not performed, include G6PD deficiency, active bleeding or a bleeding disorder, a history of blood clots, pregnancy and breastfeeding, severe anemia, and a very recent heart attack or stroke.
Why is G6PD deficiency a contraindication for EBOO?
People with G6PD deficiency lack an enzyme their red blood cells need to handle oxidative stress. The ozone in EBOO can cause those cells to break down, a process called hemolysis, which is why G6PD screening is essential before treatment.
Can you have EBOO while pregnant?
No. EBOO is not done during pregnancy, especially the first trimester, because it has not been adequately studied for fetal safety. Providers also generally wait until after breastfeeding to begin.
Can you get EBOO if you take blood pressure medication?
It depends. ACE inhibitors in particular can cause a drop in blood pressure during EBOO, so this needs medical review and careful timing rather than an automatic no. Tell your provider about every medication you take.
Can I get IV vitamin C or glutathione on the same day as EBOO?
Usually not on the same day. High-dose IV antioxidants can blunt the oxidative signal EBOO relies on, so clinics typically separate them. It is a timing consideration rather than a safety contraindication.
Who should not have EBOO near Charlotte, NC?
At Purefico in Cornelius, NC, near Charlotte, every patient is screened before EBOO. Anyone with an absolute contraindication such as G6PD deficiency or a history of blood clots is not treated, and relative contraindications are cleared first.
References
- Bocci V. OZONE: A new medical drug. Dordrecht: Springer; 2011. (Contraindications for systemic ozone therapy, including G6PD deficiency, pregnancy, ACE inhibitors, hyperthyroidism, and cardiovascular instability.)
- MedMasters. Fundamentals of IV Ozone. 2023. (Contraindication list: coagulation failure and bleeding risk, thrombocytopenia, recent myocardial infarction, significant G6PD deficiency, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, first-trimester pregnancy.)
- CAM Cancer Consortium (NAFKAM). Ozone therapy. Updated November 2025.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 801.415, Maximum acceptable level of ozone.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hormone therapy and wellness treatments should only be initiated after consultation with a qualified healthcare provider and appropriate laboratory evaluation. Individual results vary. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention.
