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How Much Solution Should Be Added Per Botox Vial?

If there are 1000 units of Botox in a vial, how much solution should be added?

Asked 29 months ago by ritamarie in ft lauderdale
Sort 11 expert answers by:
+3

Botox dilution can vary

Your question about Botox preparation is a good one. In the United States, there are two size vials of Botox Cosmetic, one containing 100 units and another containing 50 units. I believe the 100 unit vial is standard. As per the Product Information that was approved by the FDA, 2.5cc of saline should be added to the100 unit vial of Botox. However, different physicians may use slightly different dilutations. I think more important than the amount of solution added to the vial is the... more
Jonathan Sonne, MD
Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox Dilution

The recommend dilution is 2.5cc into 1 standard vial of Botox. Many physicians vary this dilutions based on their personal preferences. The important thing as a patient and as a consumer is to know how many UNITs your are getting. That is the real measure of Botox and that is essentially what you are paying for.
Amir M. Karam, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

How to dilute a Botox vial

As others have mentioned, Botox in the US comes in 100 U and 50 U vials. The 100 U one is the most common. Different providers dilute it in different ways. Personally, I use 2cc of saline. More important than the dilution is the number of units injected in a given area. HOWEVER, if too much fluid is injected in one area, then diffusion is greater and nearby muscles can be affected more than if a smaller amount of fluid is used. Therefore, in my experience, if 4 cc of saline is used for... more
Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+2

The dilution is not as important as how many units are used

The Botox that is available in united states has 100 units per vial. The amount of the saline used for dilution varies from doctor to doctor . The most important thing is the number of the units injected. Most doctors inject 20 units per area but this can vary based on the strength and size of the muscle.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+2

Varies on Physician Preference

First, Botox comes in 100 unit vials not 1000 unit ( although the price increases since cosmetic approval certainly should have occasioned an increase in units per vial). Allergan has begun production of a 50 unit vial. How this is diluted depends on the preference of the physician. Although the package insert states that Botox should be diluted with 2.5 cc of unpreserved saline, many physicians choose a different dilution, generally ranging from 1 cc to 5 cc. Nearly all, use... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Dilutions vary by physician

There are only 100 units of Botulinum toxin in Botox Cosmetic. Physicians often dilute with saline from 1 to 2.5 ccs per bottle. Some do more. The importance is the actual number of units of Botox given and the volume then Is different depending on the dilution.
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Botox dilution

FIrst, there are only 100 units in a vial of Botox. Second, I like to dilute it in about 2-2.5 mls of saline. I like to keep it fairly concentrated so it won't disperse too much. Some people like to dilute it in 4 cc's of saline
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Units & Dilution

There are 100 units in a vial of Botox.  Dilution varies among practioners.  I personally dilute with 2.5cc of saline which is recommended by Allergen.  More important is the experience of the person injecting the Botox.  Most practices base the charge of the number of units injected.
John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox Dilution

Hi Ritamarie, If you have a vial with 1000 units, it is "bogus botox" and I would not risk injecting it into any living thing. FDA approved Botox Cosmetic by Allergan comes in 100 unit vials. It can be diluted with anything from 1 to 10 cc of saline. It is not the dilution, but the mumber of units of Botox that are delivered to the muscle that determines the effect. Make sure that you are receiving FDA approved Botox only. Good luck and be well. Dr. P
Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Personal Preference

We use 3cc of saline however the more important thing is how many units are actually used to treat individual areas. Unfortunately we have seen medi=spas in our area dilute the Botox so much that the amount of actual medication injected was not enough to provide a therapeutic result. That is why these "businesses" are able to discount the treatment cost so much!
S. Randolph Waldman, MD
Lexington Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How much saline to add to Botox vial

This is a matter of personal preference. The package insert for Botox cosmetic recommends 2.5 cc but physicians inject anywhere from 1 to 10cc according to their own treatment protocols.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
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