EDTA is essentially non-toxic and generally does not produce side-effects. However, the most commonly mentioned include nausea, vomiting, burning or stinging at the site of infusion, hypotension, hypoglycemia, dermatitis, muscle spasms or tetany and local thrombophlebitis, which is expected from any intravenous infusion.

At the local site of the injection, there is sometimes pain, but this can be controlled by decreasing the rate of infusion. Also, muscle cramping has been noted, and in addition, irritation of the kidney tubules sometimes occurs. Most of these problems are eliminated when the treatment is done by an experienced physician. This is controlled by the length of duration between infusions or spacing out the treatments and drinking the appropriate amount of fluid before, during and after the treatment.

On some occasions initial treatments may cause, a transient fever, accompanied by malaise, joint aches, transient bone marrow depression, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and excessive thirst. These symptoms usually quickly disappear.

On rare occasions an allergic reaction may develop with sneezing, nasal congestion, tears, dizziness and skin rash. Many of these symptoms occur due to vitamins and additives to the treatment bottle and can be lessened or eliminated by the experienced physician.

EDTA has no known toxicity. The only adverse reaction is in enormous doses that may produce the desired result faster than the body is able to handle.

Only one death (unsubstantiated) has been attributed to chelation therapy, and that was in 1953. This apparently involved a too rapid infusion of 26 grams of EDTA within 24 hours. Treatments now are usually from 2 to 7 days apart, with about 1/10th (2.6 grams) of this dosage being used.

The maximum dosage of EDTA per any 24-hour period is usually limited to 3 grams.

Compared to the deadly effects of the diseases treated, the adverse reactions of EDTA are a small price to pay.