What is the Botox Shelf Life?

I am not sure why this is being asked, but since Botox is the ONLY FDA approved botulinum toxin in the US at this time, I'd make sure that is what you are getting. There is no 500 unit vial. Real Botox lasts for several days after reconstitution.

Botox Cosmetic comes in a vial of 100 units. It is freeze-dried and has to be reconstituted with normal saline. Allergan recommendations are to use it within 4 hours of reconstitution, but over the years, it has been shown to be effective for up to 6 weeks after reconstitution.

If the Botox has not yet been diluted with saline, the shelf life is approx 2 years. There should be an expiration date on the packaging. If it has been re-constituted, it can be used up to 2 weeks (possibly longer) without losing potency. A 500 unit vial of Botox is not available in the US and I would question whether such a 500 unit vial is the genuine product. Good luck and be safe.

Apeeling One, There is no 500 unit vial of Botox Cosmetic in this country. Botox Cosmetic comes in 100 units and 50 units. Your last question was about reconstituting Botox. I am concerned that you are purchasing non-FDA approved Botox over the internet or from some other source and trying to figure out how to use it. This can be very dangerous. Please go to a trained medical professional for your Botox.

A study looked at Botox which was freshly mixed and Botox which was mixed and then stored in a refrigerator and freezer at the University of Pittsburgh published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery August 2008. The study found no difference between the duration of effects. The company guideline (Allergan) is to use the product within 4 hours of reconstitution. Undiluted botox has a much longer shelf life. Presumably by shelf you mean stored in a cold temperature controlled environment.... more

Allergan Botox comes in a vial of 100 units. I am not familiar with the one you are quoting. Once it is diluted, most physicians feel that it keeps well for two weeks or even more in the refrigerator (it is frozen while stored prior to mixing). Most physicians who perform excellent Botox injections never have that concern as the bottle doesn’t last more than a few days in their practice. The volume of patients undergoing the treatment means that the office needs to open a new vial... more

I am waiting to hear from my Allergan reps on this. I have only received Botox in 100 unit vials. Until your question, I was not aware that Botox came in 500 unit vials. I checked the PDR and no 500 unit vials. I am awaiting a call back from my Botox rep. This sounds dangerous to me and foolhardy. Do not use this.

The shelf life of the Botox after mixing with saline is some thing that has not been studied. Allergn (parent company of Botox) recommends immediate use after mixing ,But I have used it up to 2 weeks after mixing and it was effective (botox in U.S comes in 100U/vial)

I wanted to clarify that Botox cosmetic comes in either 50 or 100 units. If kept cold, each vial has an expiration date printed on the vial. Once prepared the manufacturer's instructions state that the Botox is good for 4 hours. However, in clinical practice , many studies have shown that the Botox is active for at least two weeks if kept cold. In most busy practices it would be unusual that a vial would not be used the day it was opened and certainly withon the next office day. I hope this... more

Hello, Botox arrives "lyophilized" meaning as a freeze-dried protein powder to which you need to add saline. As the frozen powder it lasts at least months. Once hydrated the package insert says "use in 4 hours." I have used two week old hydrated material though and it works fine. This is amongst the reasons I switched to Myobloc (Botox B) a few years ago. It is stable in the refrigerator for a year to a year and a half and comes hydrated.

Hi apeeling one, In the US we use FDA approved Botox Cosmetic by Allergan which comes in 100 unit vials. The unmixed vials are kept refrigerated and have expiration dates that range up to two years out. Once mixed with solution, the Botox is usually used within a day or two, but has been shown to keep its potency even after two weeks. Be well. Dr. P

First, botox usually comes in 100 unit vials. It may be a different form. When it is not hydrated, it is recommended to be kept in the freezer. I am not sure how long it can stay frozen but I would have to check with Allergan but probably at least 6 months to a year. I usually use it pretty frequently and so my stock is turned over quite rapidly.