Flu-Like Symptoms and Sore Throat w/ Botox?

A lot of reviews have mentioned flu like symptoms and a sore throat lasting quite a while after Botox, why is this and is it normal? Is it just a reaction to the Botox?

Tags:

Comment on this

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by BrittB in Seattle

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Flu like symptoms with Botox

If you review the general symptoms and side effects of any injection including placebo drugs, flu like symptoms are one of the most commonly reported. It is difficult to assign a definitive causation to the Botox.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Botox flu like side effect is very rare

Flu-like symptoms are extremely rare after Botox. I have been injecting Botox for more than 17 years and have only had two patients mention that they felt those symptoms and they lasted only a day or two. I have had many more patients have mentioned that they developed similar symptoms after undergoing Mohs surgery for skin cancer and reconstruction where local anesthetic was injected and the symptoms were probably not related to the procedure but a coincidence in timing. If the symptoms... more

Botox post-injection

If you look at the package insert of most medications, including injectables like Botox, flu-like symptoms and sore throat are commonly listed. These symptoms were reported by pateints when the medication were under study, this does not mean they are associated with the medication. More than likely it is coincidental.

Flu like sx with Botox

"Flu like syptoms" is in the package insert- as with alot of injectible medications the reporting of such symptoms must be included in the package insert. I have not had any patients yet with these symptoms after Botox injections

Flu Symptoms and Botox

Although unlikely, certainly anything is possible in medicine and I never say never!...treat the symptoms as you would normally, fluids, over-the-counter analgesics, anti-histamines, etc. Call treating physicians office and even PMD if symptoms worsen. Good Luck! Dr. C johnconnorsmd.com

Botox and flu-like symptoms

While it is certainly possible, I highly doubt that your flu-like symptoms are related to the recent Botox treatments that you received.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Flulike response to botox

I would agree with the others that it's not likely that a flu like response or sore throat are caused by botox injections. Botox works locally, so the sore throat idea is miles away from conventional cosmetic injection sites (even neck bands of the platysma muscle are very superficial). So it's most likely coincidental, followed by the placebo effect. Never had this complaint in 15 years with the product.

Botox and the Flu.....Another Aesop's Fable

Hi, Flu like symptoms are not common after Botox injections. Most likely, the symptoms are coincidental. Though those patients suffer with the flu, there is not a wrinkle to be found on their feverish foreheads. Good luck, be well, and get your flu shot!. Dr. P