Can you take arnica tablets and an antihistamine together at the same time before getting lip filler/lip injections?

Question

I will be getting lip filler done in a few days. I want to minimise swelling and bruising as much as possible. I have been told Arnica is great and I have also been told that an antihistamine tablet can reduce the negative effects of filler. I am just wondering if it is safe to take arnica tablets and an antihistamine tablet at the same time? Any further recommendations are welcome.

Christine Fisher, MD, FACS · Answer

Excellent question. Patients often find that simple steps they take before a procedure, such as taking arnica, can make a difference in the recovery process. However, the most important consideration is the expertise and experience of your injector. Plastic surgeons that have undergone appropriate training and perform injections daily usually have patients that experience minimal side effects. I always recommend icing after lip injections, to manage possible swelling and soreness after the procedure. This is likely to be just as – if not more – effective than antihistamines. However, talk to your surgeon about their recommendations for preparing for your treatment. Good luck!

Tanya T. Khan, MD · Answer

Hello, arnica is highly effective to reduce bruising and swelling. I would recommend pre treating for four to five days before your injection and continuing for a few days afterward. You can also take antihistamines simultaneously.

Oxana Popescu, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.

The combination Arnica tablets and antihistamines by itself helps with the late vascular inflammation reaction at 30-180 minutes post procedure.
FDA labels oral Arnica as unsafe because of its potential liver toxicity at high doses.
To be very cautious topical Arnica and oral antihistaminics are perfectly OK peri procedure.
For those interested, I attached a link to a study on Arnica anti inflammatory effects.
Best,

Oxana Popescu MD

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

There should be no issue with taking arnica and an antihistamine before your lip filler treatment although I do not think it is necessary. A good topical anesthetic and icing should get your through the treatment.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! There would be no contrindication to taking arnica with an antihistamine for swelling/bruising prior to having lip injections. I am not sure that it is necessary.  Ice and good technique will usually result in minimal swelling. Best of luck!

Mirjana Janjic, MD · Answer

You can minimise the risk of bruising with lip filler by stopping supplements like Fish oil, Flaxseed oil, Gingko and Biloba, Ginseng, Green Tea extract,  blood thinning medications and NSAIDs two weeks before the treatment. You can start taking Arnica drops a few days before the lip filler, on the day of the procedure and for a few days after the procedure. Best time to take antihistamine is the day of the treatment and the next day to reduce swelling associated with some dermal fillers used in the lip area. Applying ice just after the procedure is also very helpful in preventing further bruising.
Best wishes from Melbourne, Australia

Abha Gupta, MBChB, FRCOphth · Answer

Hello,
Many thanks for your question. I am not aware of any contra indication between these two agents. Arnica used topically can be effective against bruising. I wonder if you need to take these measures though and it may be worth discussing with your injector first. 
Kr
Abha

Josie L. Tenore, MD · Answer

Let me first commend you on being proactive in your care. 
The biggest risks for lip injections is pain, bruising and swelling. What's really going to make the biggest difference is avoiding drugs and supplements that may increase your risk of bruising, like aspirin, motrin, aleve Ibuprofen [these are all in a class of drugs called NSAIDS], fish oil supplements, and alcohol. Generally, I tell my patients to avoid these for 5-7 days but if they are "bruisers", then a full 2 weeks. 
A combination of Bromelain and arnica starting a week prior has been helpful for some of my patients, so I recommend that you try that. The Bromelain should be taken three times per day with food and the arnica is best taken as small pellets under the tongue 5 times per day.
The type of product used for the treatment will dictate how much swelling you will get, with the newer products causing much less swelling. That said, everyone is different and you can expect to have some swelling for about 72 hours. 
Once you are treated, the best thing you can do is ice the lips post-injection for 20 min on and 20 min off for up to 3 days. Judicious icing works much better than antihistamines, so don't bother with them.
I hope the injections go well for you!

Jean M. Casello, MD · Answer

There would be no contrindication to taking arnica with an antihistamine for swelling/bruising prior to having lip injections. I am not sure that it is necessary.  Ice and good technique will usually result in minimal swelling.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

I am not a fan of arnica since I conducted my personal experiment on about 100 patients more than 20 years ago and found arnica to be ineffective. You don't need to take any antihistamines as the amount of swelling you will have after the procesure depends on the surgeon's technique as well as your body's response. Enjoy your lip augmentation and good luck from New York City

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