Risks of Using a Stored Syringe of Juvederm?

I have a syringe of Juvederm that my doc used for a touch-up last May 2008. It is nearly full, and I want to use the remainder. Is there any risk to this? The expiration date is on September 2009, and I have kept the syringe at room temperature with its cap on, in a biohazard bag.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by jillbean in Phoenix

Doctor Answers (9)
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Stored filler syringes

I do not store used filler syringes. There is a risk of cross contamination if accidentally injected into someone else, and the product may be contaminated after being stored.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Do not use your product

I do not save any residual fillers as there is a risk of infection during storage once its been opened. Especially since you have kept it at room temperature, more bacteria might have grown. Delayed infections can occur after the placement of your product. Do not use your product.

Stored syringe of Juvederm

My policy is not to store filler material for my patients at the office because of the potential risk of infection and of mixing up patient samples. The fact that your syringe of material has been sitting around for nearly 1 year at room temperature makes it that much more of an infection risk. I would strongly advise against it. Good luck.

Storing previously used Juvederm is not recommended

Reusing previously injected Juvederm really depends on the physician. It is generally not recommended to do this practice. I never reuse previously used Juvederm. In my opinion, Juvederm is sterilized for one time use. Injecting Juvederm later only invites an increased risk of infection whlie it sits in the stored environment. No matter where you store it, the Juvederm will accumulate bacteria and when reinjected will only increase the risk of infection. I would be careful going to a... more

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

I would not do it.

Thanks for your question. Two main things: First, it is not recommended to use Juvederm and then save it for future use. Although, it isn't recommended, I and many other doctors use Juvederm on our patients and then store a little remaining for a touch up or future use, but within the following 4-6 weeks. We all store the Juvederm in our offices, in the refrigerator, and will discard them after this time period. I am sure some doctors keep it longer, but 6 weeks is my maximum. The... more

Do Not Recommend Storing Syringe

I do not recommend storing syringes at all. I realize that most physicians are big-hearted and want to help their patients out, but it is probably taking on too much risk both from a health standpoint and a liability standpoint. The expiration date on the box applies to an unopened syringe. So I would not trust this. I used to keep the old collagen syringes up to six months and did not feel comfortable doing that. However, at least with collagen my practice was backed up by ... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

5 reviews

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Careful of Fungal or Bacterial Contamination

Juvederm and hyaluronic acids are "sugar" structures. They do not store well since bacteria and fungus love to eat and grow on sugar. Therefore, you could be injected with fungal and bacterial residue, even if it looks fine. Collagen, a protein structure, used to be saved for reuse in the frig (on the same patient) by many physicians. I would not recommend the same for "sugar" structures. Safest not to use it. Could cause a problematic infection.

Juvederm; Injecting a Used Syringe Almost One Year Later

Hi Jilbean, Personally I won't inject a patient with something that has not been kept in my office. If the syringe was kept here, then I would consider using it. The risk of possible contamination with resulting infection is not worth taking the chance of injecting fillers that have not been properly stored in a physicians office. Be well.

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

The risk is very small but is a possible infection

Studies have shown that Restylane can store for 9 months without leading to any increased risk of infection. However, these were stored in a physician's office, and the needle was replaced with a clean needle before storage. I don't ever let my patients take home a portion of an unused syringe of filler. I would not inject any syringe in which I was not sure of it's origin and storage. Just my opinion and my controlling my risks.