Is Stem Cell Therapy Safe? Side Effects and Risks Explained

Revival Clinic Team
Jul 27
4 min read

Stem cell therapy has gained worldwide attention as a cutting-edge solution for a wide range of health conditions — from joint pain to autoimmune diseases to age-related decline. While its regenerative power is promising, many prospective patients still ask: “Is stem cell therapy safe?”

At Revival Clinic Bangkok, we work exclusively with xeno-free, GMP-certified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and follow international safety protocols to ensure excellent outcomes. In this article, we’ll provide an evidence-based look at the safety profile of stem cell therapy, including potential side effects and how we minimize risk.

Understanding the Safety of Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is generally considered safe when performed in a regulated clinic using properly sourced, screened, and prepared cells. However, not all stem cell treatments are equal.

The type of stem cells, how they’re administered, and the clinical standards of the provider all play crucial roles in determining safety.

What Makes a Stem Cell Treatment Safe?

Cell type: MSCs have the safest record compared to embryonic or iPSC-based therapies
Source: Cells should come from regulated, disease-screened donors (e.g., umbilical cord)
Culturing process: Cells must be expanded in sterile, xeno-free, GMP-certified labs
Route of administration: IV and targeted joint injections are standard; unsafe practices (e.g., spinal injection without clinical trial oversight) should be avoided
Qualified provider: Only licensed medical professionals should administer the therapy under sterile conditions

At Revival Clinic, every batch of stem cells is lab-tested for sterility, viability, and contamination, and all treatments are carried out in a certified clinical setting under doctor supervision.

Why Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are the Safest Choice

Among all stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) — derived from umbilical cord tissue, bone marrow, or adipose tissue — are the most clinically tested and have the lowest risk of complications.

A 2016 meta-analysis published in PLoS ONE reviewed 36 clinical trials and found no significant safety concerns associated with MSC administration in both IV and localized injections.

MSCs do not replicate uncontrollably, do not form tumors, and do not provoke strong immune reactions when sourced from umbilical cord donors.

Common Mild Side Effects

Most patients experience little to no downtime after stem cell therapy. However, mild and temporary side effects may include:

Low-grade fever
Fatigue for 24–48 hours
Minor soreness at the injection or IV site
Mild headaches or chills
Flu-like symptoms (due to immune system activation)

These symptoms typically resolve without treatment and are considered part of the body’s natural healing response.

Rare or Serious Risks — And How We Prevent Them

Although rare, risks may occur if the procedure is performed without proper medical oversight. These include:

Potential Risk	Prevention at Revival Clinic
Infection	We use sterile techniques, single-use equipment, and hospital-grade standards
Allergic reaction	We use xeno-free cells (no animal components), minimizing allergic risk
Immune rejection	Our MSCs are immune-privileged and carefully screened for compatibility
Tumor formation	We do not use embryonic or iPSC stem cells, which are associated with tumor risk
Poor cell quality	We partner only with GMP-certified labs that test all batches for quality

Our clinical team follows rigorous safety protocols, and we only use mesenchymal stem cells derived from healthy, disease-screened umbilical cord donors.

Stem Cell Tourism: Why Safety Depends on the Clinic

The rise in global interest has led to a proliferation of unregulated stem cell clinics, particularly in regions without strong medical oversight. This is why choosing a reputable, medically supervised facility is critical.

At Revival Clinic Bangkok, we treat international patients from Singapore, Australia, UAE, and beyond who seek not only advanced regenerative care — but also peace of mind.

We are proud to be recognized for:

Transparent clinical practices
Lab-certified stem cell sourcing
5-star reviews from global patients
A serene, private treatment environment in the heart of Bangkok

Learn more about our safety-first stem cell therapy approach here.

Who Should Avoid Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy is not suitable for:

Patients with active cancer
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Individuals with serious blood clotting disorders
Those with unresolved infections

A thorough medical consultation is required before every treatment at Revival Clinic to rule out contraindications and ensure safety.

Summary: Is It Safe?

When performed by trained professionals using high-quality MSCs, stem cell therapy is one of the safest regenerative medical options available today. The vast majority of patients report positive outcomes with minimal side effects.

That said, safety depends entirely on where you go — and Revival Clinic Bangkok ensures world-class standards in every case.

FAQ

Q: Can stem cells cause cancer or tumors?A: No — mesenchymal stem cells used at Revival Clinic do not divide uncontrollably and carry no known cancer risk.

Q: Do I need to stay overnight?A: No. Most treatments are done on an outpatient basis, and you can return to your hotel the same day.

Q: How soon will I see results?A: While long-term benefits build over 1–3 months, many patients feel reduced inflammation and pain relief within days.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're considering stem cell therapy and want to ensure your health is in safe hands, we invite you to book a consultation at Revival Clinic Bangkok.

Our medical team will assess your condition, answer your questions, and provide a tailored treatment plan with full transparency and care.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a free consultation.

References:

Lalu, M. M. et al. (2016). Safety of Cell Therapy with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. PLoS ONE, 11(10), e0158639. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158639
Squillaro, T. et al. (2016). Clinical Trials With Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An Update. Cell Transplantation, 25(5), 829–848. https://doi.org/10.3727/096368915X689622
Turner, L., & Knoepfler, P. (2016). Selling Stem Cells in the USA: Assessing the Direct-to-Consumer Industry. Cell Stem Cell, 19(2), 154–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2016.06.007
Ankrum, J. A., Ong, J. F., & Karp, J. M. (2014). Mesenchymal stem cells: immune evasive, not immune privileged. Nature Biotechnology, 32(3), 252–260. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2816